2013 Cornas St Pierre

(made from vines that are between 10 and 60 years old; raised in 20% new oak for a year): Opaque ruby. Heady aromas of blackberry, cherry liqueur and olive paste are lifted by a suave floral element. Sweet, seamless and intensely flavored; a smoky mineral quality sharpens the palate-staining black and blue fruit liqueur flavors. The juicy, well-delineated finish features slow-building tannins, bright mineral cut and outstanding persistence.