Philippe Pacalet
Cornas Syrah
Cornas, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
This bottle was opened sometime earlier in the evening before a glass was handed to me. Pacalet’s 2018 Cornas pours, a deep ruby purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with wild notes of ripe and tart black and red fruits: mixed brambles, freshly cracked black pepper, bacon fat, lavender, dried green herbs and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Considering Philippe is Burgundian, I think he does a great job with Cornas; certainly showing a sense of place with the feral nature of Serine. Drink now through 2038.
This bottle was opened sometime earlier in the evening before a glass was handed to me. Pacalet’s 2018 Cornas pours, a deep ruby purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with wild notes of ripe and tart black and red fruits: mixed brambles, freshly cracked black pepper, bacon fat, lavender, dried green herbs and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Considering Philippe is Burgundian, I think he does a great job with Cornas; certainly showing a sense of place with the feral nature of Serine. Drink now through 2038.
Jul 6th, 2025
A lot of violet and black fruits. Ethereal. A bit elevated acidity.
A lot of violet and black fruits. Ethereal. A bit elevated acidity.
May 31st, 2020
Lovely Cornas with a tender supple side - 2014
Lovely Cornas with a tender supple side - 2014
Nov 30th, 2017
This is interesting. First off, wonderful experience to drink this wine. Precise aromas, extremely varietal, oodles of white pepper, gamey meats, and red fruits. Light bodied but powerful flavors. My comfort zone. But it really struck me that the wine had a lot in common in body and character with a lot of Syrahs made here in CA by folks who also make Pinot noir. As a wine lover who is primarily interested in the people who grow the grape and make the wine (as opposed to the geology of the soil, though that is interesting too), it is fascinating that such a "minimal intervention" wine can so strongly show a human perspective towards the process. The winemakers hand always shows, despite all efforts to the contrary. As it should be.
This is interesting. First off, wonderful experience to drink this wine. Precise aromas, extremely varietal, oodles of white pepper, gamey meats, and red fruits. Light bodied but powerful flavors. My comfort zone. But it really struck me that the wine had a lot in common in body and character with a lot of Syrahs made here in CA by folks who also make Pinot noir. As a wine lover who is primarily interested in the people who grow the grape and make the wine (as opposed to the geology of the soil, though that is interesting too), it is fascinating that such a "minimal intervention" wine can so strongly show a human perspective towards the process. The winemakers hand always shows, despite all efforts to the contrary. As it should be.
4 people found it helpfulFeb 21st, 2017
Wine Director Hotel Delmano
2013. Scandalous Cornas. Nothing but carbonic and whole cluster notes across the board. Well made...but wayyyyyyy overpriced.
2013. Scandalous Cornas. Nothing but carbonic and whole cluster notes across the board. Well made...but wayyyyyyy overpriced.
2 people found it helpfulJul 22nd, 2016
Gorgeous Cornas.
Gorgeous Cornas.
Aug 2nd, 2016
Smokey, fruity and spicy with very refined acidity. We all enjoyed this and it went well with heavy food...a bit price
Smokey, fruity and spicy with very refined acidity. We all enjoyed this and it went well with heavy food...a bit price
Nov 18th, 2023
High acid, less ripe, some olive character, quite fruity. Green and stemmy. Pretty open and delicious when coravin'd but when popped the next day it was a bit rough and closed. Day 2 it settled down and opened back up. qpr is way off with Faury and others in the game. Drinks at a lower level than the appellation. Carbonic fruit is evident and gives it some sex appeal but also removes typicity.
High acid, less ripe, some olive character, quite fruity. Green and stemmy. Pretty open and delicious when coravin'd but when popped the next day it was a bit rough and closed. Day 2 it settled down and opened back up. qpr is way off with Faury and others in the game. Drinks at a lower level than the appellation. Carbonic fruit is evident and gives it some sex appeal but also removes typicity.
Feb 2nd, 2017