2017 Cornas Chailles

As to the 2017s from bottle, the 2017 Cornas Les Chailles is brilliant, and readers should snatch it up. Rocking blueberries, blackberries, ground pepper, leafy herbs, violets, and graphite notes all flow to a textured, opulent Cornas that has sweet tannins, no hard edges, and flawless balance. It's brilliant bottle of wine that's going to knock it out of the park on the value scale. As with the 2018, it’s from a mix of terroirs, was destemmed, and brought up in used barrels. While Albéric Mazoyer continues to lend a hand here, Lionel Fraisse is now firmly in charge and is doing a fabulous job. Despite leading with their fruit, these are classic, traditionally made wines that come from great terroirs, are mostly destemmed, and are brought up in primarily neutral barrels.

Coming largely from the more fertile soils at the bottom of the slope, Voge's 2017 Cornas les Chailles is a silky, approachable version of Cornas, with just a bit more depth and structure than the Saint-Joseph. Enchanting herbal-floral notes appear on the nose, while the palate offers hints of crushed stone and blueberry fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, finishing long and violet-laden.

Inky ruby. Powerful aromas of blackberry liqueur, succulent flowers and smoky minerals slowly take on a hint of smoky bacon with air. Smooth and expansive on the palate, offering ripe, spice-laced dark berry and floral pastille flavors and a touch of fruitcake. Closes on a sweet floral pastille note, with impressive energy, supple tannins and an echo of bitter cherry pit.