Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art, Decorative Arts, Jewellery and Fine Wine
Live Virtual Auction, 8 - 11 November 2020
A Private Single-owner Collection of Fine Wines
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About this Item
The late Auguste Clape first went to Cornas in 1949 to marry his wife Henriette whose family owned 5 hectares of vines in the appellation. For many years, most growers in Cornas sold their fruit to négociants but Auguste became a local legend when he became the first to make wine from his own grapes instead of selling them. This decision set the tone for the future of Cornas. Today, his son Pierre-Marie and grandson Olivier Clape run the estate. Although they only farm 8 hectares, the tightly stacked and terraced vineyards present a huge challenge. The sharp precipices makes the use of any machinery impossible and, as a result, all the work must be done by hand. Clape’s powerful and authentic Syrahs, produced from the region’s best granite soils, have become world renowned and are among the most celebrated wines of France. They only produce two cuvées – the Cornas, from 40 to 90-year-old vines, and the Cornas Renaissance which is produced from their younger vines.
- Cornas Renaissance 2009 (4 x 750ml)
- Cornas Renaissance 2010 (2 x 750ml)
- Cornas Renaissance 2011 (2 x 750ml)
Critics Ratings
2009
‘Opaque ruby. Powerful, floral-accented aromas of cherry and dark berries, with smoke, licorice and cured meat qualities adding complexity. Deep and broad in the mouth, offering powerful cassis and bitter cherry flavors braced by zesty minerality. Closes with solid grip and very good focus, leaving licorice and violet notes behind.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, 93/100 (Mar 2012)
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.’ – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 97/100 (Dec 2012)
2011
‘As with the 2012, the 2011 Cornas Renaissance (22 months in foudre) is more approachable than the straight Cornas. Inky purple in color, it exhibits gorgeous black raspberry, cassis, ground herbs, spring flowers and underbrush to go with a rich, full-bodied, voluptuously textured profile on the palate. Still packing a wallop of tannin that emerges on the finish, it will benefit from a year or two in the cellar and cruise for 10-15 years.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Dec 2013)
Provenance
Private Client
Repackaged by Strauss & Co
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