1998 Cornas
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Tasting notes
The 1998 Cornas from August Clape was not to be completely outshone by the 1971 La Chapelle. Fully mature on the nose, it offers enticing melted red berry fruit aromas, leather and incense, light tertiary scents in the background. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine tannins, a dash of white pepper on the entry and then quite conspicuous eucalyptus notes towards rather a sustained finish. This is showing wonderfully, though I’d prefer to open bottles now instead of later.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Ready to go and drinking at point, the 1998 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas is a beauty. Displaying a still youthful color with only slight lightening at the rim, this solid Syrah delivers loads of complex spice-laced red and black fruits, green olive, leather, and meaty nuances to go with a medium bodied, round, supple texture and overall delicious profile. This opens up in the glass, but fades over the evening, so I would line bottles up for drinking over the coming 2-4 years.
Deep healthy crimson. Bit of old-fashioned cheesiness on the nose. Very sweet palate entry but not enough behind it. More animal than vegetal. Slightly inky finish. Drying out. (JR)
The big, classic 1998 Cornas reveals hard tannin, medium to full body, a dense ruby/purple color, and a muscular, backstrapping, husky style that requires 5-6 years of cellaring. It will last for 16-18 years, but it does not have much fat, glycerin or sweetness. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel (510) 524-1524