2014 Cornas Chaillot

The inky colored 2014 Cornas Chaillot from Allemand offers a gorgeous perfume of black raspberries, olives, spring flowers, pepper and hints of bacon fat. Classic Syrah all the way, with medium to full-bodied richness, bright, yet integrated acidity and a great finish, it's already drinking nicely but is going to cruise for a decade or more in the cellar. These wines are always hard to come by as Allemand refuses visits from critics (at least I’ve never had an email or call returned). Nevertheless, I purchased these from Le Mangevins (don’t miss a chance to eat here!) in Tain l’Hermitage and they’re brilliant wines.

Allemand's younger vine bottling, a wine with amazing depth and fragrant complexity. There are peppery and very sweetly fragrant raspberries and red plums, and a spicy lift, too. The palate has essence-like red plum fruit flavor, wet stones, cherries, chocolate and plums. Tannins are finely detailed and elegantly stated. The finish is powerfully succulent. Drink 2020 and beyond.

Inky ruby. A vibrant, highly perfumed bouquet evokes primary back and blue fruits, candied violet, smoked meat, olive and Indian spices. Sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering intense black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that unfurl slowly and become sweeter with aeration. Blends power and finesse with a deft hand and finishes very long and sappy, displaying resonating berry character and smooth, even tannins that come on late.