2015 Cornas Chante Perdrix

Moving to the 2015s, this is an undeniably great, great vintage from winemakers Jacques Grange and Claire Darnaud. Starting with his single Cornas release, the 2015 Cornas Chante Perdrix is a big, rich effort that makes the most of this brilliant vintage. Loaded with notions of cassis, plums, saddle leather and barbecue smoke, it's full-bodied, opulent and sexy on the palate, with sweet tannin. Drink this big, seriously textured beauty anytime over the coming 10-15 years. Delas Frères is located just outside of Saint-Jean-de-Muzols and has plenty of prime parcels spread throughout the entire northern Rhône Valley. The 2015s are the finest wines I’ve tasted from this estate since the 2010s, and if anything, the wines appear to be slightly more balanced and polished, with less obvious oak. The 2016s are less showy, yet have very classic, balanced profiles, and this is unquestionably another good vintage for this estate, which appears to be firing on all cylinders.

The 2015 Cornas Chante Perdrix is a blend of several parcels, vinified in concrete and aged primarily in oak. It's dark and concentrated, although admittedly not the most muscular Cornas. Black currant and cedar notes combine along with peppery hints of Montreal smoked meat to yield a savory impression. It's all held together by fine-grained, dusty tannins, which leave a lingering soft texture on the long, licorice-tinged finish. Already enjoyable, it should develop well for 10-12 years or more.

Very youthful, bright red fruit on the nose – much less open than their St-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitages. In fact, it has a reductive character on the palate making it tart and backward. Typical for Cornas to be so rustic, but this will surely relax. Needs plenty of time though! (RH)