Still More Cornas -- Clape Critics Invited

C

Claude Kolm

Claude Kolm
So I had a crappy day finishing up on a crappy week at work (the first five-day work week in a while), and a splitting headache. And there were other computer-related problems, but, anyway . . . . After tasting for review purposes a lovely Riesling from Frst, I contemplated what to have with the the pasta that I was making for dinner. I decided that I wanted something good and mature, but after deciding on Cornas, I chose to go for something "lesser and simpler." So based on vintage, out went the Allemand 1995 and 1996 that I'd brought home a visit or two ago from the offsite storage. Verset 2000 or Clape 2000? Either seemed right, and as I initially thought it was a good, nothing more, but relatively early-drinking vintage. I'd had the Verset not too long ago, so Clape was my decision.

Clape, of course, has been roundly criticized by some, although I've always continued to find them topnotch.

You can get better Cornas than this in other vintages, but you have no right to expect it. Some funk along with deep blueberry fruit and dustiness in the nose. Rich and sensual on the palate with dark plum and blueberry fruit. This drinks fabulously now (the progression of the better 2000 N. Rhnes has not been like that of the better 2000 Burgundies) yet still promises future improvement.

So let's hear it from you Clape critics -- what's wrong with this wine?
 
hi claude--well, i'm certainly not going to be the one to harp about any clape cornas (and i've never had the 2000), but coincidentally, i had a 2000 verset cornas last night and wow was it lovely. really at the top of its game. the bouquet was finer and more beguiling that the mouth (lots of flowers), but still, oh so lovely to drink and well as to smell.

by the way, i'm thinking that it may be time to try one of my '99 rostaing cote blondes soon--any input on how that would be drinking?
 
Verset 2000 is wonderful.

No recent notes on Rostaing 1999. Would be interested in hearing. FWIW, Ren prefers to drink his wines between 5-10 years after the vintage. After that, he finds that they lose their individuality, and Rhnes, Burgundies, Clarets all taste the same. (I don't agree, in general.)
 
yves gangloff is another rhone vigneron that advocates for drinking syrah younger--he once told me that he finds that, as a rule, syrah based wines should be drunk within 12 years of the vintage.
 
originally posted by Claude Kolm:
Still More Cornas -- Clape Critics InvitedSo I had a crappy day finishing up on a crappy week at work (the first five-day work week in a while), and a splitting headache. And there were other computer-related problems, but, anyway . . . . After tasting for review purposes a lovely Riesling from Frst, I contemplated what to have with the the pasta that I was making for dinner. I decided that I wanted something good and mature, but after deciding on Cornas, I chose to go for something "lesser and simpler." So based on vintage, out went the Allemand 1995 and 1996 that I'd brought home a visit or two ago from the offsite storage. Verset 2000 or Clape 2000? Either seemed right, and as I initially thought it was a good, nothing more, but relatively early-drinking vintage. I'd had the Verset not too long ago, so Clape was my decision.

Clape, of course, has been roundly criticized by some, although I've always continued to find them topnotch.

You can get better Cornas than this in other vintages, but you have no right to expect it. Some funk along with deep blueberry fruit and dustiness in the nose. Rich and sensual on the palate with dark plum and blueberry fruit. This drinks fabulously now (the progression of the better 2000 N. Rhnes has not been like that of the better 2000 Burgundies) yet still promises future improvement.

So let's hear it from you Clape critics -- what's wrong with this wine?
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Claude Kolm, exhibit B of monkification.
 
in order for him to do the dog;
he wagged his tail and shook his head
then he went and did the cat instead
he's a weird monkey
very funky
 
originally posted by Steve Edmunds:
Set my monkey on a login order for him to do the dog;
he wagged his tail and shook his head
then he went and did the cat instead
he's a weird monkey
very funky
Click to expand...

The VLM only gets that weird after drinking 1991 Durrel, ESJ.
 
So embarrassed here. I'm the only Clape-hater (actually more Clape-unimpressed by-er) I know and I haven't had the 2000. I'd love to be able to say something like "it's just dull" which is my usual reaction to Clape but I can't.
 
originally posted by Jay Miller:
So embarrassed here. I'm the only Clape-hater (actually more Clape-unimpressed by-er) I know and I haven't had the 2000. I'd love to be able to say something like "it's just dull" which is my usual reaction to Clape but I can't.
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I'm glad you're finally revealed. I was wondering what we were talking about.
 
FWIW, Ren prefers to drink his wines between 5-10 years after the vintage. After that, he finds that they lose their individuality, and Rhnes, Burgundies, Clarets all taste the same.
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That's way overstating the case for me, but I do find that the subtler terroir differences (e.g. Pauillac vs. Margaux, Gevrey vs. Aloxe-Corton, Santa Barbara vs. Anderson valley) disappear after 10 years or so, even though the wines themselves may be wonderful.
 
...(the progression of the better 2000 N. Rhnes has not been like that of the better 2000 Burgundies)...
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What has been the progression of the 2000 Burgs? I still have a couple left, although I haven't tasted one in quite a while. I remember thinking that the good ones were excellent "restaurant wines", not being particularly dense or tannic but developing some nice complexity early on.
 
originally posted by Christian Miller (CMM):

That's way overstating the case for me, but I do find that the subtler terroir differences (e.g. Pauillac vs. Margaux, Gevrey vs. Aloxe-Corton, Santa Barbara vs. Anderson valley) disappear after 10 years or so, even though the wines themselves may be wonderful.
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You haven't done enough blind tasting with .sasha.
 
originally posted by Ian Fitzsimmons:
What's wrong with Clape? I have a 1997 magnum moldering in the basement - should I just open it now and use it as ink?
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Nothing. The wines are just boring these days, IMO. They are also quite expensive.
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Ian Fitzsimmons:
What's wrong with Clape? I have a 1997 magnum moldering in the basement - should I just open it now and use it as ink?
Click to expand...

Nothing. The wines are just boring these days, IMO. They are also quite expensive.
Click to expand...
You found 2005 boring? I didn't on release.
 
originally posted by Christian Miller (CMM):
the subtler terroir differences...Gevrey vs. Aloxe-Corton...disappear after 10 years or so.
Click to expand...

Is that a subtle terroir difference?

Disappeared after only 10 years?
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Ian Fitzsimmons:
What's wrong with Clape? I have a 1997 magnum moldering in the basement - should I just open it now and use it as ink?
Click to expand...

Nothing. The wines are just boring these days, IMO. They are also quite expensive.
Click to expand...

Hey, I can disagree again! Expensive, certainly. But still cheaper than Allemand at what I see for US retail. Pricing from the recent Kermit mailer:


quan price per bott
allemand chaillot 6 387 64.5
allemand reynard 6 472.5 78.75
Clape 12 864 72

But boring - nope, not for me. 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005 all have been very interesting to me, at least interesting enough that I put some in my cellar. Maybe I didn't pay full US retail for most, but who does?
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
originally posted by Christian Miller (CMM):
the subtler terroir differences...Gevrey vs. Aloxe-Corton...disappear after 10 years or so.
Click to expand...

Is that a subtle terroir difference?

Disappeared after only 10 years?
Click to expand...

I'm trying to say that in a blind tasting of say 1995, I really doubt I could name the Aloxe and the Gevrey from the same producer. Or in many cases say anything more than "this is nice mature Medoc" when confronted with a 1990 classed growth from St.Julien vs. St.Estephe (unless it was from a producer with a very pronounced house style).
 
originally posted by Thor:
Is that a subtle terroir difference?
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California palate. (Again, insert your preferred emoticon.)
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And the same thing applies to older Zins, at which I'm pretty good at distinguishing the appellation when young, Mr. East Coast smartypants. You can say my palate sucks, but it does not suck with a bias! >:^)
 
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