About this wine
Created in the 1990s, Auguste Clape's Côtes du Rhône is a regional-appellation wine sourced from vineyards near Saint-Péray, just outside the Cornas boundary. Despite its modest appellation status, it is made with the same uncompromising, traditional philosophy as the estate's Cornas: 100% Syrah, whole-cluster fermentation in concrete vats, and aging in old oak. The result is a pure, rugged, mineral-driven red with black fruit, violet, and black pepper aromas, firm tannins, and vibrant acidity — widely regarded as punching well above its appellation.
An accessible, honestly-priced introduction to the Clape style — powerful yet refined, and ready to drink sooner than the Cornas.
Sommelier's Note
"One of the most serious Côtes du Rhône bottlings made anywhere — Clape simply doesn't know how to make a lesser wine."
Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with grilled lamb, game, charcuterie, and hard cheeses; its peppery notes also work well with earthy, herb-driven dishes.
When to drink it
Everyday fine-dining pairing, casual gatherings with meat-centric menus.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Syrah
- Style
- Red
- Alcohol
- 11.5%
- Price Range
- $65-80 (US retail reference; not a confirmed Japan market price)
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Syrah from vineyards near Saint-Péray, just outside the Cornas AOC. Fermented whole-cluster in concrete vats with native yeasts, then aged in old oak barrels/foudres to preserve fruit purity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this made the same way as Clape's Cornas?
- Yes — it follows the same whole-cluster fermentation and old-oak aging philosophy, just from vineyards outside the Cornas appellation near Saint-Péray.
- What does it taste like?
- Concentrated black fruit, crushed rock, black pepper, and violet, with firm tannins and bright acidity.
- When should I drink it?
- It's approachable from release and drinks well for 3-10 years after the vintage.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
オーギュスト・クラプ コルナス
Auguste Clape Cornas
RedSyrah
Auguste Clape is widely regarded as the benchmark producer of Cornas, a legendary estate that defined the appellation's reputation for power, longevity, and purity. The flagship Cornas cuvée is crafted from 100% Syrah grown on the steep, granite-rich slopes of the Northern Rhône. Known for its uncompromising traditional approach, the estate utilizes whole-cluster fermentation and aging in old oak foudres. The resulting wine is intensely structured, offering profound notes of black fruit, smoked meat, violets, and crushed granite, requiring significant bottle age to reveal its true complexity.
コルナス ルネッサンス
Cornas Renaissance
RedSyrah
Cornas Renaissance is the second cuvée from the legendary Domaine Auguste Clape, crafted primarily from the estate's younger Syrah vines (up to roughly 30 years old). It benefits from the same meticulous, traditional winemaking as the flagship Cornas—100% whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts and aging in old foudres—but is designed to be more approachable in its youth. The wine displays the classic, rugged elegance of Cornas terroir: intense aromas of black fruit, black olive, violets, and spice, supported by a firm yet refined tannic structure. It remains a benchmark for Northern Rhône Syrah, capturing the granite-driven essence of the appellation with real depth and aging potential.
ル・ヴァン・デ・ザミ
Le Vin des Amis
RedSyrah
Le Vin des Amis is a Vin de France bottling from Auguste Clape, made from Syrah vines over 40 years old planted just outside the Cornas appellation boundary. Though it cannot carry the Cornas name, it is crafted with the same uncompromising, traditional philosophy as the estate's grand vin: whole-cluster fermentation in concrete vats with native yeasts, and aging in old oak. The result is pure, vividly fruited Syrah with a distinct mineral backbone — more immediate than the Cornas, but unmistakably cut from the same cloth.