Cornas 2002 – Domaine Clape – Alc. 13% - 100% Syrah
The only ways in which this Cornas displays its “poor” vintage are in its being already fully accessible and in its unusual elegance for a normally robust and often rustic appellation. There were lovely Northern Rhône aromas of polished cherry but less steely and rounder than further North. Body was medium/full, length good, tannic structure decent, fruit round and well developed with minerals but less leather than often and there was no trace of the dilution or astringence which mar some 2002s; 16.5/20.
Our local Rhône expert, Pierre Ghysens, claims that Clape’s Cornas are the best Northern Rhônes in both 2002 and 2003.