The 2022 Cornas is both classic and rustic, with hints of ripe black fruits, earthy tones and leather on the nose. It's full-bodied, fleshy and expansive, showing elevated flavor concentration. Beefy and monolithic, the 2022 carries an introverted attitude, finishing with firm structure yet plenty of Clape personality. This needs time.

Bottled in mid-November, the 2022 Cornas from Clape saw the integration of the crop from the cuvée Renaissance due to a challenging flowering period and dry conditions, resulting in a production volume 45% less than usual. Evoking aromas of acetate, nail polish, violets and spices mingled with carnal/animal-like notes, it's dense and firm, with an important chassis of tannins leading to a firm, smoky, somber, meaty and introverted finish, suggesting the presence of phenols, which explains its rustic structure. "It reminds me of 2017," said Olivier Clape.

Cask samples tasted at the domaine. Sample 1 : Reynards. Wild and animal nose – the palate is earthy, with a ferruginous note. Rosemary, herbal garrigue and so much going on. There is a firm graphite element that really comes through. Sample 2 : Mazards. Inky with dark cherry and rose. So much grip with firm and fine tannins, stony notes, dark chocolate and spice. Sample 3 : Petite Côte. Dense and dark – like squid ink. Kirsch and sweet fruit on the palate with rounded, ample and supple tannins and bay leaf and herbs coming through on the finish – wonderful. Sample 4 : Reynards Vieille Vignes. Baked cherry pie, kirsch and cocoa-nib nose. Ripe generous and fleshy fruit on the palate. There is a dark side to this wine, brooding yet still with electric energy beneath. (AC)