Cornas Renaissance 2011

-- WS: Offers a gutsy feel, with dark olive, singed bay, chestnut leaf and smoldering charcoal notes that coat the core of intense blackberry and black Mission fig fruit flavors, leading to a long, iron-framed finish. Needs some cellaring to stretch out fully, but remains rock-solid. 93/100

-- Parker: The 2011 Cornas Renaissance displays extraordinary purity and opulence along with notes of grilled meats, bouquet garni, blueberries, blackberries, cassis and spring flowers. The tannins are sweet and the wine is fleshy. No new oak is ever used at Clape, and the wines are aged in old, various sized barrels as well as larger foudres. An historic reference point in Cornas is the estate of the retired Auguste Clape, which has been run over the last decade by his talented son, Pierre-Marie. This estate may have produced their finest wines to date in 2009, but the 2011s and 2010s rival anything produced at this family-owned, tiny boutique producer. They offer two cuvees of Cornas with the Renaissance representing their younger vines (although most of those are between 30 and 50 years of age). The top cuvee, simply called Cornas, has been a favorite of mine since the late seventies. 92-94/100

Lobenberg: Dunkles Rubinrot mit schwarzen Reflexen. Schon in der Nase trotz hoher Mineralität deutlich femininer und zugänglicher als der Cornas. Kirsche, Himbeere und leichte erdige Würze und steinige Mineralität. Im Mund viel mehr Charme als der Cornas, wieder Kirsche, auch etwas Erdbeere, feine Bitterstoffe, traumhafte Länge. Es bleibt die Power eines Cornas, aber in der Zugänglichkeit kommt eher etwas wie Saint Joseph durch. Feine, charmante Süße. Schicker Wein. Macht viel Spaß. 93-95/100