2010 Cotes du Rhone

Also value-priced is the 2010 Cotes du Rhone, a sleeper of the vintage. Made from 100% Syrah grown just outside of Cornas, it boasts an inky/blue/purple color, medium to full body, and abundant notes of cassis, blackberries and camphor. It should be consumed over the next decade. This historic reference point for the wines of Cornas is one of the world’s most enviable small estates. Long run by Auguste Clape, who has slowly moved into retirement, turning the reins over to his talented son, Pierre-Marie, the quality of the Clape wines has been brilliant since I began visiting the estate over 30 years ago. I believe the 2009 and 2010 Cornas are the finest wines they have yet produced ... and that’s saying something. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524