Auguste Clape, Cornas 2016

Marked by hints of tar and black pepper on the nose, Clape's 2016 Cornas is earthy and savory, loaded with notes of black olives but with enough blueberries and blackberries to satisfy fans of fruit as well. It's full-bodied, rich and tannic but not tough or hard, with incredible balance. It's so harmonious that it's not overly difficult to drink now, yet it should age gracefully for a couple of decades.

Deep brilliant violet. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, incense and potpourri, while olive and exotic spice nuances build in the glass. Palate-staining cassis, bitter cherry, salty olive, spicecake and violet pastille flavors show superb delineation and a bracing spine of juicy acidity. Closes extremely long and smoky, displaying repeating mineral and floral notes and fine-grained tannins that build steadily.