Apple is beyond compare (9)
I believe the answer is:
nonpareil
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'apple' is the first definition.
(nonpareil is a variety of apple)
'beyond compare' is the second definition.
(nonpareil means having no equal)
'is' is the link.
(Other definitions for nonpareil that I've seen before include "Peerless" , "Super model" , "Unrivalled; old type size" , "Eminent beyond comparison" , "A variety of apple" .)