2010 Cornas
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Tasting notes
Surpassing the 2009 (which is also heavenly) and as good a Cornas as I've ever tasted, the 2010 Cornas is just now coming out of its shell and offers an incredible array of black and blue fruits, scorched earth, charred meats, leather, and an almost Hermitage-like burning ember character. Incredibly complex, layered, and full-bodied on the palate, it has sweet, integrated tannins, a multi-dimensional mouthfeel, flawless balance, and a liqueur of rocks-like sensation of minerality on the finish. I only wish I had bought more on release. It will continue to evolve gracefully for another 10-15 years and, I suspect, have a gradual decline thereafter. Hats off to the Clape family for this iconic Cornas that I wish every reader could taste.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
A fantastic wine from an epic vintage, the 2010 Clape Cornas is still at least five years away from hitting its stride, and I suspect it will still be impressing lucky wine-lovers for at least a decade after that. A hugely perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black/blue fruits, candied flowers, incense, olive paste and Moroccan spices, with only a hint of gaminess in the background. Deeply concentrated and energetic, there’s an uncanny balance of richness and energy to the sweet black currant, cherry preserve and fruitcake flavors. Fine-grained tannins make a late appearance but are quickly absorbed by the lush, creamy fruit. I’d be in no hurry to drink this, but with a bit of aeration it’s a stunner.
Best vintage since 1990 and 1978, according to Olivier Clape. Meat and chocolate on the palate. Incredible intensity on the finish. Very bold and muscular, with a long life ahead of it – yet the tannins aren’t too harsh at this still-young age. There is clearly more to come in terms of flavour development. (RH)
I can’t say the same thing about the 2010 Cornas, as it’s crazily backwards, concentrated and structured, and needs some bottle age to round into form. Nevertheless, the incredible quality is present in its purity, focus, full-bodied richness and awesome finish. Give it another 3-4 years and enjoy it over the following 15-20 years (if not more). Always a fun visit, this small vertical took place in Clape’s cellar in Cornas, with Pierre-Marie Clape, who’s now running the estate. We also tasted through multiple barrels of their 2012s and 2013s, but I’ll wait and include that commentary in the northern Rhone report due out in October. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524