2006 Cornas Renaissance
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
A brilliant Syrah and richer than the ‘07, the 2006 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas Renaissance exhibits a vibrant purple color to go fantastic aromatics of smoked dark fruits, leather, peppered beef, wet river rock, and leaf herb notes on the nose. While there’s certainly a touch of Cornas wildness, this is very pure on the nose, with clean fruit, and a surprising level of polish. Medium bodied and beautifully balanced on the palate, with a fresh, focused texture that has just enough flesh, good acidity, and an excellent, mineral-laced finish, this won’t disappoint any one, and should easily drink well for 10-12 years, if not longer.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2006 Cornas Renaissance is deep, full-bodied, fat, and fleshy with fig, leather, meat, and blackberry characteristics. Pure, multidimensional, layered, and easy to appreciate (even for newcomers to the wines of this appellation), it will drink well for 15 years. The master of Cornas, this estate continues to fashion a beautiful array of wines. With his son, Pierre-Marie, in charge, Auguste Clape enjoys a well-deserved retirement. In addition to outstanding Cornas, Clape also produces a very good Cotes du Rhone and Vin de Pays, both made from fruit grown just outside the Cornas appellation. 2007 is a slightly lighter vintage in Cornas than 2006, but the sweetness of the tannins, and the precociousness of the wines make the 2007 Cornas much more approachable than usual. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524
Bright ruby. Intriguingly perfumed, complex bouquet of fresh red berries, potpourri, minerals and black tea. Zesty redcurrant and raspberry flavors are pinot-like in weight but deeply concentrated. Bright and sweet on the finish, which features silky tannins and a late note of smoky minerals. This powerful yet elegant wine is graceful enough to enjoy right now but I'd defer gratification for at least another five or six years.
Lot #1, from 15-year-old vines: Spicy red fruits and minerals on the nose. Fine-grained tannins add grip to raspberry and cherry flavors. Finishes sweet and persistent. Lot #2, from young vines in Reynard: A bit closed, with slow-building bitter cherry and plum flavors. Turned juicier with air but Clape thinks it needs a racking.