The 2018 Auguste Clape Cornas Renaissance is a Syrah from the Northern Rhone region of France, specifically the Cornas appellation. This red wine, produced by Auguste Clape, has an alcohol content of 13.5%. Multiple professional reviewers have praised this wine, highlighting its distinctive characteristics and aging potential.
Decanter awarded the wine a score of 94, noting its "fresh herbal elements on the nose" that elevate the aromatics. The review mentioned a "liquorice and menthol edge to the blackcurrant fruit" and described the wine as medium-bodied with "real intensity and bite." The tannins are characterized as "ripe and round but assertive," and the wine is said to have "a good sense of depth and resonance." The reviewer found it "really delicious now" but also mentioned its potential for aging, suggesting it can be enjoyed immediately or kept until 2026.
Jeb Dunnuck gave the wine an excellent score of 95, highlighting its "meaty, gamey nuances" alongside "ample red and black fruits." Dunnuck described the wine as full-bodied with "ripe, supple tannins" and noted classic Cornas elements such as "ground pepper, violets, and spice." He remarked on the wine's "up-front charm" and projected that it will remain enjoyable for over 15 years.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate scored the wine 93 and commented on its surprising freshness despite the vintage's sunbaked character. The review highlighted "floral notes and fresh red plum fruit" and described the wine as "medium to full-bodied, silky in feel and even a touch crisp on the long finish." The reviewer predicted that the wine would "drink well through at least 2035."
Vinous also gave the wine a score of 94, describing its "deep, glistening violet color" and "pungent, mineral-laced dark berry and cherry aromas." The review mentioned hints of "licorice, smoked meat, and exotic spices" and noted that the wine is "chewy and focused on the palate." The flavors of "juicy blackberry, bitter cherry, smoky bacon, and violet pastille" were highlighted, with the wine gaining sweetness as it aerates. The review concluded that the wine "smoothly melds richness and energy" and finishes "very long and smoky, with solid, spicy thrust and velvety, slow-building tannins."
Overall, the 2018 Auguste Clape Cornas Renaissance is a well-regarded Syrah with complex flavors and a promising aging potential, as evidenced by the high scores and detailed notes from these professional reviewers.