In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryVery Long, Iron-Mineral And Smoky finish

What it pairs with

  • Roast lamb with black olives
    Black olive aromatics in the wine find resonance with olive-stuffed lamb.
  • Grilled beef rib with bone marrow
    The wine's density and mineral quality demands the richest cut of beef.
  • Braised oxtail with gremolata
    Long-braised collagen-rich beef suits the wine's concentrated mineral tannins.

How to serve Cornas

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Roast lamb with black olives, Grilled beef rib with bone marrow, Braised oxtail with gremolata. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Auguste Clape founded the domaine in 1955 when Cornas was an obscure appellation. His insistence on old vine Syrah, traditional winemaking, and late release helped define Cornas as a top-tier appellation.

  1. 1955 — Auguste Clape founds the domaine in Cornas
  2. 1990 — Pierre Clape joins his father; the domaine begins to gain international recognition
  3. 2010 — Pierre-Marie Clape (3rd generation) takes over winemaking

Facts

Producer
Auguste Clape
Grapes
Syrah (100%)
Classification
Cornas AOC
Oak
18-24 months in old French oak foudres and casks
ABV
13.5%
Price
EUR 80-140 at retail
Drinking window
8-25 from vintage
First vintage
1955

Frequently asked about Cornas

What does Cornas taste like?

Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a very long, iron-mineral and smoky finish.

When should I drink Cornas?

Drink 8-25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Cornas?

Roast lamb with black olives is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled beef rib with bone marrow and Braised oxtail with gremolata. Black olive aromatics in the wine find resonance with olive-stuffed lamb.

What grapes are in Cornas?

The blend is Syrah (100%). The wine is classified as Cornas AOC.

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