Bottled just one month before my tasting, Clape’s 2023 Cornas opens with a deep, introverted bouquet of cassis, mulberries and licorice mingled with carnal notes. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and structured, it’s built around a firm, somewhat austere palate with a good chassis of youthful tannins that lead to a spicy, lead pencil-inflected finish. Despite its brooding character, it should benefit from time in the cellar. (YC)

A clear step up, the old vine cuvée 2023 Cornas has textbook smoky red, blue, and black fruits intermixed with game, peppery herbs, and violets. It's medium-bodied, has solid mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. This classic, impeccably made Clape will need just a few years of bottle age to shine and should evolve beautifully over the following 15+ years.

Stemmy markers, blackberry, red plum and rustic undertones introduce the medium to full-bodied 2023 Cornas. Held together by a notable acidic core lending immaculate freshness, the 2023 is both savory and austere, drawing back the palate with earthy persistence on the long finish. At eye level with the equally enticing 2022 I tasted last year, but less firmly structured. (NG)