2013 Cornas
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Tasting notes
Rich and bloody nose, graphite, iron and fresh red meat. Really tight palate and some subtle smoke in the background, blockbuster fine tannins – such density and depth here. Tight, intricate and layered. Deep intensity of fruit – surprisingly tight still and introverted. (AC)
Critic scores
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Glass-staining ruby. Spicy, highly perfumed cassis, boysenberry, incense, smoky bacon and mineral scents show excellent clarity. Densely packed, fresh and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated flavors of fresh black and blue fruits and floral pastilles. Shows an alluring sweetness on the extremely persistent finish, which features harmonious tannins and a strong echo of smoky minerality.
Probably the wine of the vintage is Clape’s 2013 Cornas. Coming from some of the prime terroirs in this incredible appellation, it’s always 100% Syrah (Cornas is always 100% Syrah) that saw no destemming and spent 22 months in mostly ancient foudre. This wine offers up classic Clape notes of beef blood, cold steel, liquid rock, pepper and saddle leather (there’s fruit in there as well) to go with a medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, rich, textured 2013 that has an awesome mid-palate, ripe tannin and clean, lengthy finish. It won’t be as long lived as some of the more blockbuster-styled years, but it will dish out incredible pleasure over the coming 10-15 years.
Tasted in components: #1, from Sabarotte: Potent dark fruit aromas and flavors show liqueur-like intensity, with a spicy element providing lift. Displays very good focus and power to its lively cherry and berry skin flavors, which become sweeter with air. Dusty tannins come in late, adding shape and finishing grip. #2, from La Côte: Deeper and more brooding on the nose, with powerful dark fruit preserve scents and suggestions of pipe tobacco, smoky bacon and violet oil. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering sweet blueberry and blackcurrant flavors with a hint of bitter chocolate. Closes on a smoky note, with strong punch and supple tannins. #3, from old vines in Reynard: Sexy, high-pitched red and dark berry aromas, along with notes of candied flowers and licorice. Silky and expressive on the palate, offering intense black raspberry and boysenberry flavors that are given spine by juicy acidity. Closes taut and spicy, with strong finishing cut and supple tannins.