This has deep, smoky notes and a quite tarry edge, too. The dark plums and black fruit pastilles are assertive here. Very succulent and long with freshness and composure. This is a very elegant Cornas. Excellent length. Try from 2023.

The 2016 Cornas is cut from the same cloth yet has slightly more density as well as structure. Crazy notes of incense, beef blood, plums, ground pepper, and blueberries all emerge from this perfumed, massively concentrated Cornas that has building tannins, a tight, chiseled mouthfeel, and a great, great finish. Hide bottles for 5-7 years and it will keep for 2+ decades.

Marked by hints of tar and black pepper on the nose, Clape's 2016 Cornas is earthy and savory, loaded with notes of black olives but with enough blueberries and blackberries to satisfy fans of fruit as well. It's full-bodied, rich and tannic but not tough or hard, with incredible balance. It's so harmonious that it's not overly difficult to drink now, yet it should age gracefully for a couple of decades.

Tasted as components: #1) La Côte: smoky, spicy and focused on the nose, displaying heady dark fruit preserve, olive and tobacco qualities and a sexy floral overtone. Sweet and energetic on the palate, showing impressively focused blackberry and cherry pie flavors and a touch of cracked pepper. Dusty tannins build slowly on the persistent finish. #2) Sabarotte: lively and sharply focused cherry and dark berry scents, with a sexy floral accent and building minerality. Concentrated but surprisingly lithe, offering powerful cassis and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of exotic spice. Seriously persistent, with solid tannic grip. #3) old vines in Reynard: vibrant black and blue fruit and floral scents, backed by smoky mineral, olive and cola nuances. Palate-staining boysenberry and cherry liqueur flavors show an unlikely delicate touch thanks to a core of zesty acidity. Displays outstanding energy and focus on a strikingly long, mineral-driven finish.

Granite, smoke and the blackest possible fruit. Has that soulful mineral note of the best wines. Petrichor! Thick palate texture. A grand, multi-layered edifice, with exquisite detail. (RH)

Leather, aniseed, distinctive black cherry fruit and very chalky tannin. Insistent, bold flavours, powerful structure and great length – the full Cornas package. (RH)