My contribution to a large Rhône dinner. Standouts were ‘07 Chapoutier Le Meal Blanc, ‘89 and ‘90 Jaboulet La Chappelle, ‘11 Guigal La Mouline.
An over-generalization, but what I love about Cornas is the rusticity and sometimes feral nature of the wines (which I don’t find in Hermitage or CR) and this ‘05 is in that vein. I followed this from pop (after all, we are at the almost 20yr mark) and over the course of three hours.
Interplay of red and black berry fruits, black pepper, slightly herbal (maybe closer to potpurri floral) aromatically. Bright and nimble on the palate, nothing about this is ripe or soft. Energetic acidity all the way through surrounded by notes of iron (sanguine-like) and rocky minerality. Crunchy red and black fruits (whole-cluster?), hint of gaminess but not in the meaty-style I semi-expected. Clean and pure style of Syrah. Big structure at the finish…hard to imagine drinking this 10+yrs ago. Acidity and tannin will carry this a long time, but I think this is peak window for getting depth of fruit and complexity. — 2 months ago
Always a treat with its perfumed aromatics, balanced dark cherry, berry fruits, spice, mineral, graphite, iron, olive, pepper & violets — 6 months ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Easy to drink on pop & pour for such a young Syrah.
Reminded me a bit of the Domaine Rostaing’s I’ve enjoyed. Ripe black cherry, crème de cassis, violets, lavender, pepper, stem inclusion, notes of roasted chestnuts, grilled meats, iron pan, spices, dark flowers, nice acidity with good balance and elegant finish. — 3 days ago