Cornas Syrah

First, the Gentaz and now, Verset?! Be still my beating heart! Noël Verset is a freaking legend. His first vintage was during the period of peace between the first and second world war which means, for most of his career, Cornas was a tough place to make a living making wine. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that things began to turn around and by that time, Noël was in his 70’s. Talk about perseverance. By the time he made this 1996 vintage, he had already started selling off some of his vineyards and by 2006, he was done making wine altogether. 

And this 1996? It is lighter in color than the other wines in the Cornas line-up; almost a pale garnet with a transparent core. The nose is just crazy. I just wanted to smell it for the rest of the night. Wild mixed berries, dried purple flowers, garrigue, tobacco, and coffee. This was a Cornas of elegance and thinner on the palate relative to the Allemand and Clape. Long finish. Divine with venison, umami bomb, potato and pearl onion. Drinking very well now and could hold for longer but why?

Oh la la. Complex and endemic. Stunning bottle of wine. Good luck finding one

They do not make them like this any longer.

What a delicate, bright and pulsing wine. More Burgundian than I was expecting but with such wonderful texture and energy.

😲 totally meeting expectations. Aromatics were gorgeous, still very fresh and floral. The full bouquet 💐 green parts included but not at all vegetative.

This is wonderfully pure and clear blackcurrant with notes of sage. Kind of one note but one very pure note. Pretty.

Gorgeous, sophisticated, polished, leather, bacon fat, tar, menthol,

Hold moly. The tannins are still grippy. Great balance and fruit through the finish. Gorgeous from this rare old bird.

Mind boggling. Wine life changing stuff.... pomegranate and grapefruit skin on the nose with tar pepper and blackberries. The palate was super and the finish lasts forever. I can still taste it. Holy s**t

Tawny color, deep and darker than the old Grivot. Wonderful aromatics in the nose. Old Rhone syrah nose with notes of light fruit, dried brush and a little medicine. Memorable finish.