Any wine following these two behemoths is in a tough spot, but Clape’s 2008 Cornas showed beautifully, with pretty pepper, green olive, earthy underbrush and plenty of black and red fruit characteristics all emerging from the glass. Medium-bodied, elegant and layered, it’s a classy drink that will have a decade or so of overall longevity. Always a fun visit, this small vertical took place in Clape’s cellar in Cornas, with Pierre-Marie Clape, who’s now running the estate. We also tasted through multiple barrels of their 2012s and 2013s, but I’ll wait and include that commentary in the northern Rhone report due out in October. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

Dense, with a impressive tannic coating to the chestnut, tobacco, pastis, mulled currant and blackberry fruit flavors. There's a smoldering charcoal note on the finish, with the grip nicely integrated. You'd never guess this as a 2008. A terrific effort for the vintage. Best from 2012 through 2022. 163 cases imported. -JM