The Wines

Syrah (early 1990s) from hillside decomposed granite soils, wild yeasts, destemmed, 3 week vinification, daily pumping overs, cap punchings, aged 5-year 30 hl barrel 14-16 months, fined, can be filtered, produced in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 400-800 b

2012 ()

sleek, shiny dark red and purple colour. Rounded, inviting, macerated black berries air, nice and pure, very young, good lift and brightness, the essence of young Syrah. The palate starts on a lightly sweet, tasty black berry fruit, well wrapped together with its mild tannins. Smiling Cornas, not the old gruff, leave me alone style. It works as a round, accessible, nicely bodied wine. The finish is round, favours fruit over content. A w.o.w. style, CHR (Café, Hotel, Restaurant) wine. From spring 2015. 13.7°. 2024-25. Nov 2013

2011

dark red. The nose is reserved; it fronts up with oak and charred airs, small black berries behind, soaked fruits, macerated cherries – the bouquet is a bit ordinary, mainstream. This is modern Cornas, sleekly fruited, its ID not especially local. Its length is fair. Day 2  and served cooler: once more a soaked theme, mild tannins. Too production line to be true Cornas, modernism taken too far. A plain wine. From 2015. 13°. 2019-20. Dec 2013  Previously Nov 2012 *** (casks) dark robe; slightly floral bouquet – an attractive small ball of blackberry jam fruit – and a plump and enjoyable affair, glistening with its fat fruit. The palate presents toasted blackberry fruit, with prune touches. A mild Cornas that needs only 18 months to settle its tannins from their nutty stage today. The finale gives cassis and black cherry. Doesn’t show a lot of terroir, skims along, a bit like a Crozes with just a little mineral. 2020-21  Nov 2012