2018 Cornas Chailles
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Tasting notes
A blend of several different parcels matured in older barrels, the 2018 Cornas les Chailles impresses for its distinct scents of crushed stone, red plums and red raspberries. Full-bodied and concentrated, it's nevertheless fresh and red fruited, with fine-grained tannins, a relatively open, generous feel and a gently tannic, softly dusty finish. It should drink well for at least another decade and possibly even improve over much of that time.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Moving to the two Cornas I was able to taste from this report, the 2018 Cornas Les Chailles comes from a mix of lieux-dits, including Combe, Les Saveaux, Cayret, Les Mazards, Chaillot, and Chapuzes. It was all destemmed and brought up in used barrels. Offering gorgeous notes of black raspberries, cassis, spring flowers, game, lavender, and pepper, this is pure Cornas goodness on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied and concentrated, with bright acidity, this complex, layered, beautifully balanced Cornas can be enjoyed any time over the coming 15-20 years. Count me impressed.
Bright purple. Smoke- and spice-accented aromas of ripe dark berries, licorice and pungent flowers pick up a floral nuance as the wine opens up. Plush cassis and blackberry flavors are braced by a spine of juicy acidity, and a cracked pepper flourish adds spicy cut to the back half. Becomes sweeter with air and features a hint of cola on the long, smoky finish, which features harmonious tannins and lingering florality.
100% Syrah. Aged for 18 months in old oak. Cask sample. Tasted blind. Berries, blackcurrant and spice, with a light palate that lacks the gutsiness associated with traditional Cornas. A more refined style, perhaps? (RH)