One of the finest efforts of the vintage, the 2000 Cornas boasts an opaque purple color as well as a sumptuously sweet, perfumed nose of white flowers, creme de cassis, melted licorice, and hints of roasted earth and meat. This jammy, medium to full-bodied 2000 is not a blockbuster, but is floral, elegant, and supple-textured. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. There is nothing wrong with a case of Clape! As I have been writing for several decades, Auguste Clape and his son, Pierre-Marie, represent the gold standard for classic Cornas. Readers lucky enough to have access to his importer’s portfolio (Kermit Lynch) should always check out his inexpensive Cotes du Rhone as well as his vin de pays called Le Vin des Amis. Both are noteworthy introductions to what can be found in his Cornas cuvees. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

One of the finest efforts of the vintage, the 2000 Cornas boasts an opaque purple color as well as a sumptuously sweet, perfumed nose of white flowers, creme de cassis, melted licorice, and hints of roasted earth and meat. This jammy, medium to full-bodied 2000 is not a blockbuster, but is floral, elegant, and supple-textured. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. There is nothing wrong with a case of Clape! As I have been writing for several decades, Auguste Clape and his son, Pierre-Marie, represent the gold standard for classic Cornas. Readers lucky enough to have access to his importer’s portfolio (Kermit Lynch) should always check out his inexpensive Cotes du Rhone as well as his vin de pays called Le Vin des Amis. Both are noteworthy introductions to what can be found in his Cornas cuvees.Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524