13% abv, imported by Fass Selections, Inc., Irvine, CA. Cork closure: natural. Biodynamic calendar: fruit day.
It’s easy to love the wines of Cornas. Nestled in a volcanic granite amphitheater in the Northern Rhône, this small appellation only encompasses slightly over 100 hectares of planted vines in an exceptional heat-trapping site that also shields much of the cool Alpine winds that traverse the river valley. For 100% Syrah wines only, here in Cornas you’ll find the kind of muscle and deep brooding wines that really exemplify what Northern Rhône Syrah is; legend has it that the name comes from a Celtic expression for burnt earth. These wines can match the intensity of Côte Rotie and raise that one, with less of the finesse of say Hermitage or Saint-Joseph.
Rémy Nodin, traditionally a farmer in the Rhône Valley by trade who sold his grapes to the Cave de Tain co-operative, began bottling wines in 2008. He farms about 9ha.
Tasting note: Deep purple in color with a clean nose of pronounced intensity with aromas of garrigue, violet, lavender, blackberry, duck fat (confit), smoked game, and potpourri. On the palate this wine is dry with medium+ acidity, medium tannins, medium body, medium alcohol, medium plus flavor intensity and a long finish with flavors of wet stone, blueberry, smoked plum, damson, leather, graphite, tobacco, and a hint of vanilla. As far as Cornas goes, this is very modern in style with clean winemaking and should age well for 10 years, there’s a lack of middle palate here or secondary flavors, so it’s a tad simple for what it should be. Drink now or through 2028, this wine is very good: 9.1/10.