2011 Domaine Auguste + Pierre-Marie Clape Cornas Renaissance

As with the 2012, the 2011 Cornas Renaissance (22 months in foudre) is more approachable than the straight Cornas. Inky purple in color, it exhibits gorgeous black raspberry, cassis, ground herbs, spring flowers and underbrush to go with a rich, full-bodied, voluptuously textured profile on the palate. Still packing a wallop of tannin that emerges on the finish, it will benefit from a year or two in the cellar and cruise for 10-15 years. Review Date: December 2013