At a glance

Producer

Domaine Auguste Clape

Region

Cornas, Northern Rhône, France

Grape variety

Syrah

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$150-$210 per 750ml

Tasting profile

Intense black fruit (blackberry, plum), smoked meat, black pepper, violets, graphite, deep mineral notes. Dense, grippy, not yet expressive.

Evolution: Develops savory/earth elements, leather, olive tapenade, game, forest floor, and softens tannins over time.

At peak: Profoundly complex with velvety tannin, floral and spice lift, classic Cornas savory depth; tertiary notes layered on persistent black fruit.

Structure

Acidity

Fresh, vibrant

Tannins

High, firm yet refined

Alcohol

13.5%-14.5% ABV (typical for Clape Cornas)

Aging potential

Outstanding; among the longest-lived Cornas wines

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2032 to 2040

Optimal window

2028 to 2045

Current status

Very young, just released; highly structured.

Current condition

Powerful, primary fruit, pronounced tannin/structure, not yet showing tertiary complexity

Domaine Clape Cornas consistently excels at aging. In youth it is brooding, tannic, and closed. After 6-8 years the structure integrates, flavors become more complex, and classic Cornas characteristics flourish from 10-15+ years onward. Proper cellaring is key to maximizing aging potential.

Food pairing

Roasted or braised game meats (venison, wild boar), slow-cooked beef, grilled lamb, mature hard cheeses, dishes with black olive or rosemary.

Serving

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — The high tannins and firm structure of the wine benefit from aeration, which can soften the tannins and enhance the flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Traditional low-input viticulture; no herbicides or chemical fertilizers used for decades. Focus on hand harvesting, old vines (average 30-90+ years), natural/ambient yeast fermentations. Energy use is modest (old gravity-fed cellars), but no renewable energy reported. Glass bottle; standard cork.

Domaine Clape is an icon of traditional artisan winemaking, deeply committed to minimal intervention and careful farming without synthetic chemicals. However, as of the 2022 vintage, the estate is not organically or biodynamically certified, and does not market explicit sustainable packaging or renewable energy programs. The carbon footprint is better for local consumption than for export. Overall, Clape shows strong sustainability practices in the vineyard and winemaking, but scores lower due to lack of formal certification or carbon footprint mitigation measures.