Vinous (95)

Opaque ruby. Smoke- and spice-accented dark berries, cherry preserves, bacon and licorice on the expansive nose. Offers lush and appealingly sweet black raspberry, blueberry, cola and allspice flavors that show excellent depth and pick up a subtle floral accent with aeration. Displays excellent clarity and mineral thrust on the wonderfully persistent finish, which features an intense blue fruit character and gently firming tannins.

The de Lorient Cornas La Cabane des Chasseurs 2021 is a quintessential French wine, originating from the revered Rhône region. Renowned for its robust, full-bodied taste, this fine wine provides a distinguished combination of red fruit layers, underscored by subtle smoky and earthy undertones. An expression of the traditional winemaking techniques, the wine is matured in French oak barrels for peak refinement.

Produced by the distinguished de Lorient estate, a trusted standard-bearer in Cornas, a commitment to quality is conceptualised in every bottle. Notably, the de Lorient Cornas La Cabane des Chasseurs 2021, is made from 100% Syrah grapes, hand-picked from the estate's vineyards. Nestled on the steep slopes, the vineyards' granite-rich soils and optimal sunlight exposure influence the grapes' defining characteristics.

As an epitome of expert craftsmanship and Rhône tradition, the de Lorient Cornas La Cabane des Chasseurs 2021 adds a deserving jewel to any restricted wine collection.

Vinous (93)

Dark purple. Expansive aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, smoky Indian spices and olive, with a suave floral nuance that gains strength with air. Deeply concentrated but energetic as well, offering palate-staining blueberry and violet pastille flavors and building spiciness. Rounded tannins add gentle grip to a strikingly long penetrating finish that clings with strong tenacity.

Wine Advocate (99+)

I can’t say the same thing about the 2010 Cornas, as it’s crazily backwards, concentrated and structured, and needs some bottle age to round into form. Nevertheless, the incredible quality is present in its purity, focus, full-bodied richness and awesome finish. Give it another 3-4 years and enjoy it over the following 15-20 years (if not more).

Vinous (91-93)

Inky ruby. Pungent black and blue fruit and succulent herb aromas, along with hints of cracked pepper, licorice and violet and a suave floral nuance. Broad, seamless and appealingly sweet, offering juicy blackberry and violet pastille flavors and hints of spicecake and dark chocolate. Clings with strong tenacity and focus on the finish, which is framed by smooth, harmonious tannins.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

The 2019 Cornas is one hell of a base Cornas that should be snatched up by readers. Full-bodied, concentrated, and flawlessly balanced, with a texture like silk, it offers a kaleidoscope-like array of red and black fruits, tapenade, smoked game, black olive, and Asian spices. It’s a thrilling wine to enjoy over the coming two decades.

Vinous (94-96)

Saturated violet. Highly fragrant, mineral-accented boysenberry, cherry liqueur, candied violet and allspice aromas are complemented by a smoky mineral nuance. Offers palate-staining dark berry, candied licorice and bitter chocolate flavors that pick up notes of candied flowers and exotic spices on the back half. Powerful but surprisingly lively as well, finishing very long and smooth, with sharp delineation and gently gripping tannins.

Vinous (97-98)

Brooding purple color. Intensely perfumed, spice-tinged aromas of dark fruit preserves, incense, cola, smoked meat and potpourri are energized by a bright mineral flourish. Sweet and chewy in the mouth, offering densely packed yet vibrant blackberry, cherry preserve, olive and fruitcake flavors, along with suggestions of candied violet and black pepper. The floral and mineral notes resonate strongly on an impressively long, incisive finish that quickly builds tannins and reverberates smokiness.

Vinous (95)

Deep, brilliant violet color. Powerfully scented black/blue fruit liqueur, potpourri and exotic spice aromas, along with hints of woodsmoke, incense and olive paste. Supply, seamless and broad on the palate, offering deeply concentrated blackberry, mulberry, bitter chocolate and fruitcake flavors that become livelier and sweeter with aeration. Rich yet surprisingly energetic, finishing sappy and alluringly sweet, with lithe tannins, repeating florality and superb persistence.

Vinous (96)

Inky violet color. Pungent, mineral-tinged aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, candied flowers and olive paste turn spicier as the wine stretches out. Densely packed and expansive on the palate, offering bitter cherry, blackberry, fruitcake and espresso flavors that slowly turn sweeter on the back half. Tightens up on the impressively long, penetrating finish, which features chewy tannins and an echo of dark berry preserves.

Vinous (90)

Inky ruby. Candied dark fruits, potpourri and olive on the nose, complemented by lively mineral and black pepper overtones. Deep-pitched cherry and blackberry flavors unfold slowly with air, picking up a subtle floral nuance and a touch of licorice. Closes chewy and long, displaying slow-building, youthful tannins and lingering spiciness.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

Coming from pure granite soils of the Patou lieu-dit, the 2019 Cornas Patou is another brilliant wine in the making from this small family estate. Revealing a dense purple hue as well as awesome black and blue fruits, ground pepper, beef blood, and spring flower-like aromatics, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mid-palate, building yet ripe tannins, and a monster of a finish. It might need a decade to hit maturity, but it’s a phenomenal Cornas that will evolve for 20-30 years.

Vinous (92-94)

Deep magenta. Sharply defined red and blue fruit and spice qualities on the nose, along with intense floral, botanical herb and smoky mineral accents. Taut and gently chewy in texture, offering vibrant bitter cherry, cassis and spicecake flavors that deepen through the back half. In a juicy and energetic style, finishing very long and spicy, with polished tannins framing lingering cherry and spice notes. All whole clusters.

Vinous (95-97)

Opaque magenta. Intensely perfumed, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh black and blue fruits, licorice, bacon fat and olive paste, along with a suave floral overtone that builds as the wine opens up. Stains the palate with deeply concentrated but vibrant blackberry, boysenberry, violet pastille and exotic spice flavors, plus a smoky mineral flourish that gains strength through the back half. Chewy tannins shape an extremely long, mineral- and floral-driven finish that shows superb clarity and spicy drive.

Vinous (93-95)

Bright purple. Mineral-accented aromas of ripe dark berries, licorice and violet show fine clarity and spicy lift. Energetic and focused in the mouth, offering juicy blackberry, bitter cherry, smoked meat and fruitcake flavors that deepen through the back half. Turns sweeter on the long, smoky finish, which features well-knit tannins and lingering floral and exotic spice notes.

Relish the exquisite Jean Lionnet Cornas Rochepertuis 2005, a product of meticulously nurtured vineyards located on the fabled terraced slopes of Cornas in the Rhône Valley of France. Jean Lionnet, a legend amongst winemakers in the region, has implemented traditional methods passed across generations to curate this exceptional drink.

Characterised by a rich, inky hue, the Cornas Rochepertuis 2005 offers a distinctive palate of black plum, smoke, and savoury spice. Its full-bodied structure and robust tannin balance result from ageing in oak barrels, which also instil hints of toasted vanilla. This 100% Syrah wine, boasting a perfect combination of depth, complexity, and longevity, is testament to Lionnet’s commitment to old vines and sustainable cultivation practices.

Enjoy Jean Lionnet Cornas Rochepertuis 2005, a vintage hallmark of Rhône Valley wines that reflects the artisanal finesse amalgamated with the terroir's unique character in each sip. Truly a captivating experience for discerning oenophiles.

Vinous (92)

Dark purple. Intense aromas of cherry compote, blueberry and licorice, with a medicinal note gaining strength with air. Round, lush and broad, with a restrained sweetness to the dark berry and fruitcake flavors. A rich, pliant wine that finishes with dusty tannins, resonating sweetness and impressive length. I like this wine's blend of richness and energy and suspect that it will age gracefully.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

This inky, intensely plummy Syrah balances rich, pulsating black-fruit flavors against lip-smacking cassis and accents of tapenade, charcuterie and blood. Sourced from 90-year-old vines and aged 22 months in oak (15% new), the penetrating wine is framed by fine, firm tannins and lingering notes of vanilla, chocolate and earth.

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

Moving to the three Cornas releases, the 2018 Cornas is brilliant and certainly in the same ballpark as the 2016 and 2017. Lots of red and blue fruits, smoked earth, graphite, iron, violets, and gamey notes define this full-bodied Cornas. With ample tannins, fabulous balance, and a big finish, it's going to need 4-5 years of bottle age at a minimum yet should drink fabulously well over the following 15 years.

Vinous (93-95)

Opaque ruby. Highly perfumed, mineral and spice-accented red and dark berry preserve, floral, olive and smoked meat aromas, along with a spicy nuance that builds steadily in the glass. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering sweet blueberry, cherry-cola, spicecake and espresso flavors, with a touch of black pepper. Finishes very long and smoky, with mounting tannins and repeating florality. 20% whole clusters.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

There are two special cuvées from this estate. Looking first at the 2018 Cornas Cuvée Jana, it tastes like the essence of Cornas with its meaty, bloody aromas and flavors of scorched earth, ground pepper, rare steak, iron, cedar, and dark, almost blue fruits. Tight, tannic, and concentrated on the palate, this full-bodied effort packs incredible intensity and power yet stays lively, elegant, and weightless. It's a brilliant, brilliant Cornas, yet certainly not for those seeking instant gratification. It actually reminds me slightly of the incredibly age-worthy wines from Domaine Clape, and I suspect it will have a similar evolution. Hide bottles for 7-8 years and enjoy over the following two decades.

Jeb Dunnuck (98)

The tiny production 2019 Cornas Cuvée Jana is another gorgeous wine. More up-front and opulent than either the 2018 or 2016, it has a mass of blueberry and black cherry-like fruits as well as smoked game, bouquet garni, ground pepper, and iron. It hits the palate with a lush, opulent attack and has a terrific mid-palate, before the tannins build and clamp down on the finish, showing more loamy earth and mineral notes. It certainly displays the richer, ripe style of the vintage and has moderate acidity, yet the purity of fruit is spot on, it's beautifully balanced, and it’s going to keep for 25+ years in cold cellars.

Jeb Dunnuck (98)

Only made in top vintages, the 2018 Cornas Mère Michel is a tribute to Johann's wife and a play on the French song "La Mere Michelle." Brought up in a new demi-muid, it's a richer, broader wine compared to the Cuvée Jana yet still has incredible Cornas style in its red, black, and blue fruits as well as notes of toasted spice, roasted meat, chocolate, and wild herbs. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, it has a touch more upfront appeal and should be drinkable in just 4-5 years yet also evolve for two decades.

Hailing from the prestigious northern Rhône region of France, Julien Pilon Cornas Elegance Caillou 2018 illustrates a master-class in viticulture. Julien Pilon, a distinguished winemaker, leverages 20 years of experience, which shines brilliantly in each bottle. The grapes for this opulent wine are sourced from a single, world-class vineyard within the Cornas appellation.

The 2018 vintage showcases superior winemaking techniques. Grapes were manually harvested at peak ripeness, ensuring a balance of sugar and acid. Post-harvest fermentation and maturation took place in large wooden vats, augmenting the inherent aromas and flavours.

The result? A well-rounded, full-bodied Syrah that brims with succulent blackberry, ripe plum, and a touch of white pepper. Its elegance remains prominent as savoury notes of chocolate and soft spices add depth to its impressive profile. Decant for optimal enjoyment and immerse yourself in the heart of Rhône with Julien Pilon Cornas Elegance Caillou 2018.