Domaine Auguste Clape Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend 2016

Jay Kline

Popped in poured, consumed over a several hour period. The 2016 Clape Côtes du Rhône pours a deep purple color with a nearly opaque core with medium+ viscosity with significant staining of tears. There are slight signs of sediment. No signs of gas. On the nose, the wine is initially pretty funky. It has that nearly poopy diaper sort of thing going, but it’s so typical in reductive Syrah. This blows off within minutes and reveals a tremendous amount of dark bramble fruit, black plum, blueberry, deli case, olive brine, lavender, dried herbs, and baking spices. There is a bit of the animal that’s sticking around too. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and includes quite a bit of black pepper. A lovely wine and it’s almost unfair to have it labeled as CdR. This is drinking so well right now but could very well impress through 2030+…but why wait?

Bob McDonald

Very dense maroon in colour for a CdR, but it is from the warm 2016 vintage. Ripe red and blue fruits with a feral barnyard type note - not Brett as yet. Very youthful for a CdR - totally different to a Guigal CdR which is less concentrated and is approachable immediately. This is medium to full bodied with black cherry and earthy notes - medium plus intensity. In retrospect I opened this too young. This was the first of 3 - next in a few years.

web bond

Alabama whitetail, venison stew.

Geoff Troup

Sales Eder Brothers, Cellar Fine Wines

Whoaaaaa. If you told me this was Cornas I would not think twice. Sandy texture, earth centric, barnyard and subtle funk, herbaceous, green olive, black pepper and slate. Very, very young but refined, restrained, complex, and intensely forthcoming.

Nick Ferrall

RIP Auguste Clape

Andrew Schirmer

2 Hour decant. In fine form, but still way too young. Big chewy tannins, power, finesse. Infanticide can be delicious.

Michael Hendricks

Best cotes du Rhone I have had.