2017 - Cornas, Auguste Clape

Dark, youthful purple. Powerful, smoke- and mineral-accented aromas of ripe dark berries, licorice, olive and a hint of incense on the deeply perfumed nose. Juicy and sharply delineated in the mouth, offering concentrated, spice-laced blackberry, bitter cherry and fruitcake flavors that take on a smoky aspect as the wine opens up. In an ample but lively style, finishing juicy and extremely long, with building tannins adding framework and youthful grip.

This is decidedly funky. Meat, blood and fur; plum, black pepper, olive brine and vanilla. Lots of brett as well and a bit rustic. Coarse tannins. This is a serious, edgy wine and is definitely not for everyone. If you like funky Syrah, though, this is for you. (JRL)