Cornas Cuvee Renaissance, Domaine Auguste Clape 2010

The 2010 Cornas Renaissance may be the finest example of the cuvee I have yet tasted. This offering represents about one-third of the Clape production and tends to come from two well-known sites in the natural amphitheater of Cornas, Les Sabarottes and Geynale. This astonishing 2010 boasts a black/purple color along with gorgeous, explosive aromatics consisting of blue and black fruits and spring flowers, a full-bodied, layered texture and superb intensity. Very pure with sweet tannin, it was bottled unfiltered after 22 months in primarily foudre, and should drink well for two decades.

The 2010 Cornas Renaissance, essentially their "younger" vines (although they are 30-50 years old), exhibits an opaque purple color along with beautiful blueberry and blackberry fruit intertwined with notions of spring flowers as well as a chalky minerality. Full-bodied, with good acidity and terrific definition and freshness despite its massive size, it should drink well for 15+ years.