1995 Cornas Reynard
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Tasting notes
Unfortunately, I did not see Allemand's 1994 Cornas cuvees, which were among the stars of the vintage when I tasted them prior to bottling last year. His 1995s appear to be more acidic, better structured, and, I am sure oenologists would say, more stable and classic. Both of the 1995 cuvees exhibit ruby/purple colors, sweet noses of cassis fruit, and in the case of the Reynard, violets and earth. Both are crisp, tart, medium-bodied, and almost New World-ish in their acid profiles. The Reynard finishes longer, with more power and concentration. It will need 3-4 years of cellaring and keep for 15 years. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel (610) 932-2745
Critic scores
Robert Parker
About the producer
Allemand’s wines set the benchmark for Cornas: expressive Syrahs crafted with uncompromising traditional methods and released in tiny quantities. From the 1980s, he revived abandoned vineyards on Cornas’s steep granite slopes, building his domaine without inherited land or financial support.