1986 Cornas

I was very pleasantly surprised by how well the 1986 Cornas has turned out. Displaying high-pitched redcurrant, cherry skin and black pepper aromas, it's complicated by notes of dried flowers and allspice that build in the glass. Silky and fine-grained on the palate, with sweet red fruit flavors and a suggestion of blood orange that lends a refreshingly tangy edge, it acts like a much younger wine. It shows deeper, darker character on the finish, which features gentle tannins and a sexy floral pastille flourish. This vintage was written off by most Rhône wine lovers from the beginning, by the way, making this showing all the more impressive.