2020 Cornas
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Cornas is even better, ranking with some of the finest Cornas I've ever tasted. Deep purple-hued, with insane aromatics of bloody blue fruits, liquid violets, graphite, pepper, and smoked meats, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, multi-dimensional, layered mouthfeel, building yet ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. It offers pleasure even now but will be best from 2034-2054. It will be interesting to see if this shuts down after a few years (as most top vintages of Clape tend to do), but I wouldn't be surprised to see this evolve along the lines of the 2010, which is absolutely singing today! I was thrilled to be able to retaste the 2020s during my visit with Pierre-Marie Clape, and it’s safe to say I underrated these last year. They’ve have morphed into heavenly wines that are unquestionably in the same league as the estate 2010s, 2018s, and 2019s. The 2021s here have pure, classic, old school-like profiles with more moderate concentration and depth, but good balance as well as length. Harkening back to wines from the 1980s, they’re already approachable yet should have 10-15 years of interesting drinking.
Critic scores
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The full-bodied 2020 Cornas is a wild thing. Concentrated and expressive, it combines all the elements that Clape-enthusiasts rave about: a juicy core of fruit, ferrous gradations, crushed flowers, meaty undertones, rustic funkiness and an herbal edge. Remarkably round tannins lend solid structure to the delicious 2020, an instant classic that shows excellent persistence on the savory finish.
A fragrant nose of blackberries, dark cherries, wild herbs, baking spices, stones and black pepper. Medium body with fine, firm tannins. It has volume and structure, but remains extremely agile. It has bright acidity and a vibrant peppery character, giving vitality and tension on the palate. Well-rounded and vivid with a succulent and textured, long developing finish. Best after 2026.
Glass-staining ruby. Intensely perfumed dark berry preserve, violet oil, olive, cured meat and woodsmoke scents show fine definition and vibrant spice- and mineral-driven lift. Offers palate-staining, spice-laced blackberry, bitter cherry, fruitcake and violet pastille flavors that deepen and open up steadily through the midpalate, while maintaining energy. The strikingly long, penetrating finish features youthfully chewy tannins, a sweet touch of cola and lingering floral and exotic spice qualities. All whole clusters and no new oak, as usual.