Refined and firmly structured but there is plenty of ripe sweet fruit in this lovely dark full-bodied Syrah. Digs into the soil displaying mineral wet earth and smoke with a tasty citrusy and tannic finish. Complex and balanced. From Clape's oldest vines. Drink now through 2005. 1500 cases made. –PM

The 1999 Cornas is a brilliant effort in a Cornas vintage that produced an atypically high percentage of mediocrity. The wine displays soft tannin but good underlying acidity terrific blackberry and cassis-like fruit a saturated black/purple color and aromas of roasted meats jammy black fruits hickory smoke and licorice. Fine purity sweet tannin and well-integrated acidity and alcohol result in a seamless impact. This full-bodied large-scaled offering will be at its finest between 2005-2016.