2018 Cotes du Rhone
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Tasting notes
Inky ruby. An expansive bouquet evokes ripe blackberry, cassis, potpourri and olive, and a smoky mineral nuance builds as the wine opens up. Shows impressive depth as well as energy, offering sweet, spice-tinged black and blue fruit and candied violet flavors that are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Quite lively for its depth and power, finishing on a gently tannic note, with sharp clarity and spicy thrust.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
I always find a touch more density and concentration in the Côtes du Rhône compared to the Le Vin Des Amis, and the 2018 has a similar bouquet (smoked game, graphite, piercing minerality, and pepper) to go with a richer, medium to full-bodied style on the palate. Textbook Clape, I’d love to see it on my dinner table any time over the coming 7-8 years. Pierre-Marie Clape and his son Olivier continue to make some of the most impressive (as well as singular) wines in the world from their tiny cellar in Cornas. This is a bastion of traditional winemaking and the wines are not destemmed, see long fermentations, and aging in ancient barrels and casks. While they didn’t release a Renaissance cuvée in 2017 due to tiny yields, their Cornas is stunning stuff not far off what was achieved in 2010 and 2015. I suspect the 2018 will match, or exceed, the 2017.
100% Syrah. Baked black fruit, richly layered palate, feathery tannin, smooth texture. The acid makes itself felt on the finish. Excellent aromatic range. (RH)
Some slate, dark ripe plums and savory, earthy, spicy and meaty nuances here. Assertive, rustic tannins with plenty to offer on release.