Single-Owner Private Collection of Fine Wines from South Africa, Bordeaux, Rhône Valley, Italy, Spain and more….
Timed Online Auction, 27 June - 15 July 2024
Rhone
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
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 make 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.
Made from the domaine's younger vines, Renaissance showcases top terroirs across the Cornas appellation in a slightly more accessible way than Clape's flagship bottling. Given the same treatment - vinified naturally with whole clusters and aged in old foudres for nearly two years before being bottled unfiltered - it can be enjoyed in its youth, although it certainly has the structure to age for many years.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘Deep, glistening violet color. Pungent, mineral-laced dark berry and cherry aromas are complemented by suggestions of licorice, smoked meat and exotic spices. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering juicy blackberry, bitter cherry, smoky bacon and violet pastille flavors that become sweeter with air. Smoothly melds richness and energy and finishes very long and smoky, with solid, spicy thrust and velvety, slow-building tannins. 100% whole clusters.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 94/100 (Dec 2022)
‘The 2018 Cornas Renaissance shows less of the vintage's sunbaked character than you might expect, boasting floral notes and fresh red plum fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, silky in feel and even a touch crisp on the long finish. It should be reasonably long lived, drinking well through at least 2035.’ – Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Jan 2022)
‘I like the fresh herbal elements on the nose here, it lifts the aromatics. There's a liquorice and menthol edge to the blackcurrant fruit. Medium-bodied, quite fluid on the palate but has real intensity and bite. The tannins are ripe and round but assertive. Has a good sense of depth and resonance.Really delicious now, I would drink this straight away, but will no doubt age well. Drink now, or from 2026.’ – Matt Walls, Decanter.com, 94/100 (Aug 2021)
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