94pts Vinous

Saturated violet. Displays expansive, mineral- and spice-driven aromas of fresh black and blue fruits, peony and exotic spices. Sappy and energetic in style, offering appealingly sweet cherry and blueberry flavors that show fine definition and deepen slowly with air. The blue fruit note drives an impressively long, floral-accented finish that's given subtle grip by fine-grained, even tannins.

Winemaker Notes

Origin: vines from three plots (behind Cornas village church, and in the districts of Les Cotes and Reynard). Le Village is not a place but a brand name to identify the cuvée.

Soil: granitic, terraced.

Grape variety: syrah.

Viticulture: high-density planting (8,000-10,000 vines per hectare). No insecticides or pesticides, few treatments (depending on weather), small amount of organic-only fertiliser, with respect of soil and vine balance. Vigour and yield control, leaf-thinning and green harvesting to promote grape maturation.

Vinification: the grapes are hand-picked; and then sorted, crushed and partially destemmed in the cellar. Fermented in open, temperature-controlled vats for about 3 weeks, with regular cap-punching and pumping-over. Malolactic-fermented in barriques with native yeasts.

Maturing: 18 months in barriques.

Style: a mouth-watering, expressive wine with aromas of gorgeously ripe black fruit, spice, and garrigue notes. Ample and charming on the palate, with a powerful spicy finish.

Ageing: can be drunk young, but can also be cellared for up to 10 years.

Pairing: beef, duck; medallions of ostrich with shallots and al dente herb-flavoured vegetables.