Wines Cornas Auguste Clape - Cuvée Vieilles Fontaines - 2010

Viniou Reviews

The 2010 Cuvée Vieilles Fontaines from Auguste Clape stands out as one of the most emblematic expressions of Cornas, located in the northern part of the Rhône Valley. This 100% Syrah wine comes from meticulously tended old vines, some of which are over eighty years old, grown on the rugged, granite-dominated slopes characteristic of the appellation. The 2010 vintage is celebrated for its exceptional conditions: a cool yet sunny growing season resulted in grapes with perfect balance between ripeness and acidity. At Clape, vinification adheres to traditional methods—whole-cluster fermentation, indigenous yeasts, and ageing in old foudres—prioritising a pure expression of the terroir and varietal.

Cornas itself is a tiny but storied appellation on the west bank of the Rhône river, just south of Saint-Joseph. The region enjoys a continental climate, with hot summers but also cooling mistral winds, helping to maintain freshness in the grapes. The steep, terraced vineyards rest on granite soils interspersed with clay and alluvial deposits, providing profound depth and minerality to the finished wines. Historically, Cornas was a somewhat rustic and secretive source for Syrah, but in the last few decades—driven largely by vignerons like the Clape family—it has gained an enduring reputation for some of the region's most soulful and age-worthy reds.

With its deep, almost opaque colour, the 2010 Vieilles Fontaines offers a nose of black olive, cassis, smoked meats, cracked pepper, violets and hints of leather and graphite. Its powerful yet remarkably refined palate unfurls with aeration, showing a tapestry of dark fruits, savoury spices, firm tannins and vibrant, mineral-driven acidity. In terms of food pairing, this wine beautifully complements slow-cooked lamb shoulder with herbes de Provence, venison roast, duck breast with black currant sauce, or traditional Rhône daube. Regionally inspired options like wild boar stew or truffled potato gratin also shine alongside its intensity.

Decant this wine for at least two hours before serving to help it reveal its full aromatic spectrum. Serve at a temperature of 16-18°C to allow the nuances to blossom fully on the palate. This 2010 Cornas is superb now but will continue to evolve gracefully over the next decade.