1990 Cornas
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Tasting notes
The 1990 Cornas has a very stemmy nose, with black fruit, juniper and black olive tapenade cohering nicely after an awkward start. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of red berry fruit, kirsch and brown spice, notably spicy and certainly showing some Brettanomyces towards the finish. Indeed, with aeration, that Brettanomyces seems to bloom and rudely occludes the fruit profile. A high tolerance to Brett will be required, and I speculate how much that might vary from bottle to bottle.
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
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At the time of its release I thought that Verset's 1990 Cornas was one of the best wines of the vintage in the northern Rhône and definitely the best example of Cornas for that year. Still deep ruby in color, it displays powerful aromas of cherry liqueur, blackberry and olive, with a minty aspect adding vivacity and lift. Round and seamless in texture, with sappy red and dark berry flavors and hints of spicecake and cola, this is aging very slowly and positively. A hint of fresh mint sneaks up with air, adding good back end bite to a long, supple finish. In an ample, plush style for Verset, you could drink this with great pleasure now or forget it for at least another ten years.
After tasting Verset's 1990 Cornas, I wrote, "The quintessence of Syrah and of Cornas - almost like port." The wine is remarkably rich, thick, and opaque, and so phenomenally intense that you could almost stand a spoon in it! Unbelievably concentrated, Verset's yields were under 30 hectoliters per hectare. There is no doubting that the 1990 is a remarkable, even spectacular Cornas that may ultimately merit an even higher score. I would not be surprised to see it receive the highest rating I have ever given a Cornas once it is in the bottle. A monument! Anticipated maturity: now-2009. Last tasted 11/95.