Domaine Auguste Clape, Syrah, Côtes du Rhône, Northern Rhône, France 2021

The Côtes du Rhône is crafted from a selection of young-vine Cornas and older Syrah on deeper clay soils just outside the appellation. Sturdy and mineral-driven, it tastes like the grapes were prompted, gently but insistently, to eke out the pure essence of Syrah. It can be enjoyed young, but has enough density and chewy flesh to age for up to a decade.