2009 St Joseph Les Royes
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Tasting notes
A single vineyard cuvee that comes from the Les Royes vineyard, a steep, terraced plot near the northern edge of Cornas and composed primarily of granite and limestone soils, the 2009 Domaine Courbis St. Joseph Les Royes is a gorgeous St. Joseph that offers uncommon concentration and richness paired with an overall silky, elegant profile. Comprised of 100% Syrah that aged for 15-17 months in 20% new casks, it boasts a classy array of black currant, smoked game, mint, violets, and gorgeous minerality that flows to a medium to full-bodied, perfectly balanced Syrah that has solid mid-palate concentration and a building richness that comes through on the finish. Very impressive and this grows on you; while approachable now, give bottles 2-3 years in the cellar, and then plan on drinking them over the following 12-15 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Glass-staining purple. Deeply pitched black and blue fruits on the nose and palate, with notes of licorice and mocha adding complexity. Large-scaled but lithe, with strong, mineral-accented cassis and blueberry flavors brightened by zesty acidity. Finishes focused and long, leaving a spicy note behind.
The two 2009 Saint-Joseph cuvées I tasted are both seductive, appealing wines. More seriously endowed and richer, with more tannin as well as low acidity and oodles of black cherry and black currant fruit is the deep ruby/purple-colored 2009 Saint Joseph Les Royes. Medium body, abundant fruit and light tannins suggest it will drink nicely for 7-10 years. Two brilliant vintages from Domaine Courbis include the more forward 2009s and the equally fine 2010s, which will require considerable patience. The 2010s have slightly higher acids, which tends to make the tannins more noticeable, but they are also extremely concentrated, with massive palate impressions. It is often said that Cornas is made for those with 19th-century palates, but Courbis has tamed the uncivilized ruggedness and wilder aspects of Cornas, resulting in huge wines but undeniably Cornas. Importer: Russell Herman, Berkeley Heights, NJ; tel. (908) 771-9082
Mushy fruit aromas. Very astringent. A tough old bird. Peppery, a bit of dark fruit but mostly quite lean and drying and chewy. (TC)