Scaling the heights of Cornas
The rumpled, pulverised, south and east-facing slope that towers over the village of Cornas is known for muscular, gritty expressions of Syrah. Cornas winemaker Vincent Paris is a quiet, modest man, and he would never say such a thing himself; but over the last twenty years he has helped transform perceptions of the wine that can be made from these broken granite soils. His wines bring a lovely finesse to the natural power of Cornas.
After the frosty shock of the 2021 vintage, 2022 was a hot, dry year in Cornas, as it was up and down the Rhône Valley. With dry conditions keeping disease pressure at bay, it was not a difficult year to manage in the vineyard. The grapes were clean and concentrated, and harvest came early. The dry conditions meant some vines curtailed photosynthesis. That means alcohol levels are a little lower than might be expected from a hot year, and the wines display a lovely freshness alongside generous and intense fruit.
Vincent works some fabulous old-vine parcels he inherited from his grandfather, and others he has since acquired by himself. His Granit 30 cuvee is a serious expression of Syrah and the slope. It used to be called a young vine cuvee, but many of the vines, cultivated on a well-exposed 30-degree section of slope, are now approaching middle age. The Granit 60 cuvee is even more impressive. It comes from two specific lieu-dits (Sauman and Les Mazards) where old vines grow on a very steep 60-degree section of slope. This cuvee includes some whole-bunch fermentation, which adds to the powerful aromatic imprint. These wines capture the gamut of Syrah: from floral to savoury via fruit, herb and meat. /NT
Offered subject to remaining unsold; for shipment Autumn 2024
