About this wine
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.
The most immediately drinkable of Clape's Syrahs — a genuine taste of Cornas character without the long wait.
Sommelier's Note
"Proof that appellation status doesn't make the wine — this is Cornas soul in Vin de France clothing."
Food Pairings
Excellent with grilled lamb, roasted game, charcuterie, and hard cheeses; its spice and acidity also suit earthy mushroom dishes.
When to drink it
Casual dinners with friends, weekend gatherings, or a gift for Syrah enthusiasts.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Syrah
- Style
- Red
- Alcohol
- 11.5%
- Price Range
- $45-65 (US retail reference; not a confirmed Japan market price)
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Syrah from vines over 40 years old, planted just outside the Cornas AOC boundary. Fermented whole-cluster in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts, aged in old oak barrels/foudres without new-wood influence.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why isn't this labeled Cornas?
- The vines are planted just outside the official Cornas appellation boundary, so by French wine law it must be labeled Vin de France instead.
- What does it taste like?
- Pure, concentrated dark berries, black pepper, and crushed granite, with high-toned floral notes.
- When is the best time to drink it?
- It's best enjoyed within 5-8 years of the vintage, when its fruit is at its most vivid.
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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.
コート・デュ・ローヌ
Côtes du Rhône
RedSyrah
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.