Colour - garnet. No bricking. On the nose - a hint of earth, some black fruits perhaps. On the palate - a bit tame for a cornas - the acidity is there but there's no goosebumps. A meatiness - and interestingly a real hint of violets. Nice stuff for a midweek dinner. Enjoyed with the bargain meat plate at Blacklock.
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Violets, smoked meat with hints of bacon fat. Medium bodied with quite refined texture. On the palate, blackcurrant with a hint of higher toned red fruit, asian tea with mineral streak along with well resolved tannins and decent acidity. Slightly rustic notes on a short finish are a bit of a let down. Not bad, but this does to seem to lack the complexity and weight associated with the better northern rhone syrahs.
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Friday Tasting Group; Unthemed (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 100% Syrah from S/SE facing slopes "of varied soils, with odd alluvium deposits, on steep, shale slopes that are held up by dry stone walls." Typically, "The winemaking takes place in traditional, open-topped concrete tanks, after 3 days pre-fermentary skin contact at cool temps. The fermentation continues under computer controlled temps between 82°F-86°F. Daily cap pushing down & pumping over are carried out for about 10 days. The total vatting time can be up to 20 days. Aging lasts for 12-14 mos in oak barrels with regular racking."
N: Closed, but ripe berries with earth?
P: LM body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt firmed by astringent pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with aspect of tanginess, swtness, & bitterness to the dusty tannins. For now & easily making its 15th, though another 12 mos or so MIGHT improve it. 13.5% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. 94 pts RJonWine, 93+ WA, 90-92 Galloni, 90 Tanzer (Raynolds), 17/20 Bettane et Desseauve, 15/20 Gault & Millau, & 4/5* drinkrhone.com . [As of mid Mar '19, wine-searcher still shows 2 vendors @ $36 & $59.]
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essentially the same impression as two years ago (see tn). good, but not great wine and obviously aging at a slow pace. probably close to its peak and 5+ years still to go.
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The nose is clean. The aromas have a medium intensity and show notes of black fruit (blueberry, mulberry), oak (smoke), and vegetal characters (black olive). The wine appears youthful.
On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+) acidity, medium alcohol, and medium(+) body. The medium(+) level tannins are ripe and velvety in nature. The flavours have a medium intensity and show notes of black fruit (blueberry, mulberry) and subtle charcuterie. The finish has a medium(+) length.
This is a very good quality wine. The flavours are concentrated and have a great balance with the acidity and the alcohol. The tannins have a great balance with the acidity. The oak treatment complements the flavour profile. In its current state, the wine shows primary and secondary characters. The charcuterie note detected on the palate may be related to the use of sulphur. The wine has a finish with great length.
The wine drinks well now, but has potential for further ageing. The fruit intensity is great, and the tannin and acid structure should support the wine as tertiary notes develop.
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Coravin fun - Ready to drink (Kennards, Waterloo): From Coravin. Savoury blackberry with black pepper, crushed rocks, a little olive tapenade. On the palate though the impression is overall savoury there is a very slightly jubey note to the fruit. Tannins are dense and quite drying. This is still a bit of a puppy
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Definitely a wine from a warm vintage. Black color with a tiny ruby rim. Youthful and shiny. On the nose initially a bit closed, only revealing hints of sweet black fruits, with opening up the nose becomes deeper, displaying olives and barnyard. The smell is more about the terroir of Cornas than about the variety Syrah. Rustic but pleasing. Some slight warmth but not overly so. In the mouth you have a nice combination of impact and focus. While from a warm vintage the wine does not lack acidity and remains quite energetic. There is still a good dose of tannin to ensure aging for addtional ten years, but due to its volume and generous texture the structure is well covered and the wine certainly enjoyable now. In the end, the wine lacks the "wow-factor" to justify a higher score.
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Excellent, and in a very good phase. A fruity and pleasant wine, but with the right Northern Rhône characteristics: garrigue, smoke, tobacco, bacon and dark berries. I really wish that I had more of this!
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"Vermelho-carmesim no vidro sem tons de roxo. Num estilo mais selvagem e campesino, seu nariz é claro, com um frutado mais fresco e vermelho do que negro e maduro, acompanhado de pimentas, pinus, alecrim, lavanda e nítidas notas animais de pelica. Corpulento, vertical, com um frescor levemente mentolado, tange o palato com taninos sedutores e guarda um comprimento notável e um final muito agradável e rústico na medida certa. Parear com Magret de Pato sob crosta de ervas e batatas ao sal de alecrim. 94 GGP"
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Tuesday Night $20-$40 Double Blind (Bin 75): Very dark core, reddish purple rim; graham cracker, fig, red and dark fruit, no new oak; ripe fruit, modern, soft tannin, somewhat medicinal fruit, kind of rustic but not due to the tannins; ok.
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7/13/2023 - lozatron Likes this wine:
Colour - garnet. No bricking. On the nose - a hint of earth, some black fruits perhaps. On the palate - a bit tame for a cornas - the acidity is there but there's no goosebumps. A meatiness - and interestingly a real hint of violets. Nice stuff for a midweek dinner. Enjoyed with the bargain meat plate at Blacklock.
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2/22/2020 - bergkamp10 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Violets, smoked meat with hints of bacon fat. Medium bodied with quite refined texture. On the palate, blackcurrant with a hint of higher toned red fruit, asian tea with mineral streak along with well resolved tannins and decent acidity. Slightly rustic notes on a short finish are a bit of a let down. Not bad, but this does to seem to lack the complexity and weight associated with the better northern rhone syrahs.
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12/7/2019 - MattB72 wrote: 89 Points
Similar Notes as few yrs ago. Good wine but nothing special. Kind of flat and never really came to life even the second day.
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11/17/2019 - rama Likes this wine:
Black tea on the nose, black fruit with a touch of spice on the palate. Medium bodied, medium acid with a lovely saline finish.
Despite a decanting, this took hours to open up. Enjoyable now with a decant and time, though no rush at all to open these.
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3/8/2019 - srh Likes this wine:
Friday Tasting Group; Unthemed (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 100% Syrah from S/SE facing slopes "of varied soils, with odd alluvium deposits, on steep, shale slopes that are held up by dry stone walls." Typically, "The winemaking takes place in traditional, open-topped concrete tanks, after 3 days pre-fermentary skin contact at cool temps. The fermentation continues under computer controlled temps between 82°F-86°F. Daily cap pushing down & pumping over are carried out for about 10 days. The total vatting time can be up to 20 days. Aging lasts for 12-14 mos in oak barrels with regular racking."
N: Closed, but ripe berries with earth?
P: LM body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt firmed by astringent pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with aspect of tanginess, swtness, & bitterness to the dusty tannins. For now & easily making its 15th, though another 12 mos or so MIGHT improve it. 13.5% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. 94 pts RJonWine, 93+ WA, 90-92 Galloni, 90 Tanzer (Raynolds), 17/20 Bettane et Desseauve, 15/20 Gault & Millau, & 4/5* drinkrhone.com . [As of mid Mar '19, wine-searcher still shows 2 vendors @ $36 & $59.]
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2/24/2019 - Eric Becker wrote: 91 Points
essentially the same impression as two years ago (see tn). good, but not great wine and obviously aging at a slow pace. probably close to its peak and 5+ years still to go.
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1/4/2019 - EricU wrote: 92 Points
Earth. Stone. Pepper. Nice finish.
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10/28/2018 - CBRwineguy wrote:
Cornas lunch (Macleay Street Bistro, Potts Point): The appearance is clear and deep purple in colour. Tears and sediment are visible.
The nose is clean. The aromas have a medium intensity and show notes of black fruit (blueberry, mulberry), oak (smoke), and vegetal characters (black olive). The wine appears youthful.
On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+) acidity, medium alcohol, and medium(+) body. The medium(+) level tannins are ripe and velvety in nature. The flavours have a medium intensity and show notes of black fruit (blueberry, mulberry) and subtle charcuterie. The finish has a medium(+) length.
This is a very good quality wine. The flavours are concentrated and have a great balance with the acidity and the alcohol. The tannins have a great balance with the acidity. The oak treatment complements the flavour profile. In its current state, the wine shows primary and secondary characters. The charcuterie note detected on the palate may be related to the use of sulphur. The wine has a finish with great length.
The wine drinks well now, but has potential for further ageing. The fruit intensity is great, and the tannin and acid structure should support the wine as tertiary notes develop.
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10/28/2018 - chatters wrote:
Cornas Birthday lunch (McLeay Street Bistro, Potts Point): "Rich, ripe, polished oak, cream, caramel, vanilla over toasted black fruit. Palate is a reflection of the nose with plenty of, albeit controlled, tannins.
After 2 hours it's polished oak, creamy, toasted black fruit, softly fleshy and alcoholically warm."
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9/8/2018 - chatters wrote:
Coravin fun - Ready to drink (Kennards, Waterloo): From Coravin. Savoury blackberry with black pepper, crushed rocks, a little olive tapenade. On the palate though the impression is overall savoury there is a very slightly jubey note to the fruit. Tannins are dense and quite drying. This is still a bit of a puppy
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5/4/2018 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 94 Points
Very dark red violet color; aromatic, savory, dried berry, licorice, sweet smoke, ginger cake nose; tight, tasty, savory, pepper, dried berry, dried herb, charcoal, licorice palate with good balancing acidity; needs 2 years; long finish 94+ points
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4/1/2018 - jbboyer wrote:
Not tasting ready yet, quite acidic with notes of sour cherry
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12/25/2016 - Eric Becker Likes this wine: 91 Points
Definitely a wine from a warm vintage. Black color with a tiny ruby rim. Youthful and shiny.
On the nose initially a bit closed, only revealing hints of sweet black fruits, with opening up the nose becomes deeper, displaying olives and barnyard. The smell is more about the terroir of Cornas than about the variety Syrah. Rustic but pleasing. Some slight warmth but not overly so.
In the mouth you have a nice combination of impact and focus. While from a warm vintage the wine does not lack acidity and remains quite energetic. There is still a good dose of tannin to ensure aging for addtional ten years, but due to its volume and generous texture the structure is well covered and the wine certainly enjoyable now.
In the end, the wine lacks the "wow-factor" to justify a higher score.
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11/14/2016 - Raizes Likes this wine: 91 Points
黑李子、黑樱桃，石墨，紫罗兰，慢慢涌现的烟熏味和一点皮革的气息。尽管2009是一个风土有些被良好气候冲淡了的年份，这款酒还是展现出了Delas的典型特质——精细芳香，但是口感严肃的“花岗岩”风格。在这个比较炎热的年份，这款Cornas保留住了清新的果味，酸度也很出色，十分值得被称道。单宁已经开始熟化，呈令人舒服的粉状，但香气整体来说还略显封闭，现在喝的话需要长期醒酒。91-92
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10/2/2016 - lkilpio Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent, and in a very good phase. A fruity and pleasant wine, but with the right Northern Rhône characteristics: garrigue, smoke, tobacco, bacon and dark berries. I really wish that I had more of this!
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7/13/2015 - GGP Likes this wine: 94 Points
"Vermelho-carmesim no vidro sem tons de roxo. Num estilo mais selvagem e campesino, seu nariz é claro, com um frutado mais fresco e vermelho do que negro e maduro, acompanhado de pimentas, pinus, alecrim, lavanda e nítidas notas animais de pelica. Corpulento, vertical, com um frescor levemente mentolado, tange o palato com taninos sedutores e guarda um comprimento notável e um final muito agradável e rústico na medida certa. Parear com Magret de Pato sob crosta de ervas e batatas ao sal de alecrim. 94 GGP"
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4/18/2015 - Ydaucourt wrote: 88 Points
Decanted for 3 hours. Very powerful but not very fine. Reminded me of of a Chilean Syrah with slightly more acidity. Wait a few year for ???
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10/7/2014 - Rezy13 wrote:
Tuesday Night $20-$40 Double Blind (Bin 75): Very dark core, reddish purple rim; graham cracker, fig, red and dark fruit, no new oak; ripe fruit, modern, soft tannin, somewhat medicinal fruit, kind of rustic but not due to the tannins; ok.
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12/22/2012 - mdonovan wrote: 88 Points
Pas mal, un peu dur
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