2023 Auguste Clape, Cornas, Renaissance

Domaine Auguste Clape remains the definitive standard-bearer for traditional Cornas, relying on an uncompromising commitment to whole-cluster, native-yeast fermentation in concrete tanks followed by long aging in neutral foudres. Sourced from the estate’s younger Syrah vines planted in the appellation's rugged, granitic slopes, the Renaissance cuvée serves as a direct expression of these primary, mineral-rich sites. The 2023 vintage delivered a return to classical proportions, with moderate conditions allowing for optimal acid retention and structural tension. The resulting wine is characterized by a precise, fine-grained tannin architecture and an inherent, energetic lift that avoids the density of warmer, more arid years.