Decanter (96)

From vines on clay-limestone soils in lieux dits Beaumes and Diognières, the fruit is fermented in concrete than aged for 18 months in demi-muids, 30% new and 70% second use. Rosemary and juniper sit amongst lifted blackberry and black cherry fruit. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated yet very fresh and lively, without excess oak or extraction. It buzzes with energy; lifted and drinkable. Really fresh, precise and crisp tannins lead to a long, saline and dynamic finish. A good year for Domaine du Colombier.

Decanter (96)

From vines on clay-limestone soils in lieux dits Beaumes and Diognières, the fruit is fermented in concrete than aged for 18 months in demi-muids, 30% new and 70% second use. Rosemary and juniper sit amongst lifted blackberry and black cherry fruit. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated yet very fresh and lively, without excess oak or extraction. It buzzes with energy; lifted and drinkable. Really fresh, precise and crisp tannins lead to a long, saline and dynamic finish. A good year for Domaine du Colombier.

Vinous (95)

Glass-staining ruby. Pungent dark berry preserve, floral pastille, botanical herb and olive aromas are complemented by hints of woodsmoke, licorice and pipe tobacco. Round and expansive in the mouth, offering appealingly sweet, mineral- and spice-accented blackberry, cherry-cola and candied violet flavors and a bitter chocolate nuance. Closes chewy, smoky and impressively long, with lingering spiciness and youthfully firm tannins. The balance of weight and energy here is superb.

Vinous (95)

Glass-staining ruby. Pungent dark berry preserve, floral pastille, botanical herb and olive aromas are complemented by hints of woodsmoke, licorice and pipe tobacco. Round and expansive in the mouth, offering appealingly sweet, mineral- and spice-accented blackberry, cherry-cola and candied violet flavors and a bitter chocolate nuance. Closes chewy, smoky and impressively long, with lingering spiciness and youthfully firm tannins. The balance of weight and energy here is superb.

Vinous (95)

Inky ruby color. Powerful, mineral-accented black and blue fruit liqueur, incense, smoky bacon and potpourri aromas take on exotic spice and licorice nuances with air. Sappy, focused and deeply concentrated yet surprisingly lively as well, offering alluringly sweet blueberry, cassis, cherry-vanilla and candied violet flavors that are given back-end cut by building mineral and black pepper flourishes. The mineral and floral notes drive an extremely long, well-delineated finish, where dusty tannins provide shape and final grip.

Vinous (96)

Opaque violet color. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes fresh black and blue fruits, exotic spices, olive, pipe tobacco and candied flowers; a smoky mineral note builds as the wine opens up. Juicy and sharply focused on the mineral-inflected palate, offering intense, mineral-accented boysenberry, bitter cherry, licorice and violet pastille flavors with a touch of vanilla. The floral note comes back strong on the impressively long finish, which features youthfully grippy tannins and lingering spiciness. I also had the chance to try the 2010 version of this wine, and it was a knockout, with deep dark fruit character and suave floral and exotic spice accents. There's still plenty of structure present, so a little time in a decanter, or just plain old patience, is strongly advised.

Vinous (96)

Opaque violet color. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes fresh black and blue fruits, exotic spices, olive, pipe tobacco and candied flowers; a smoky mineral note builds as the wine opens up. Juicy and sharply focused on the mineral-inflected palate, offering intense, mineral-accented boysenberry, bitter cherry, licorice and violet pastille flavors with a touch of vanilla. The floral note comes back strong on the impressively long finish, which features youthfully grippy tannins and lingering spiciness. I also had the chance to try the 2010 version of this wine, and it was a knockout, with deep dark fruit character and suave floral and exotic spice accents. There's still plenty of structure present, so a little time in a decanter, or just plain old patience, is strongly advised.

Vinous (96)

Opaque violet color. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes fresh black and blue fruits, exotic spices, olive, pipe tobacco and candied flowers; a smoky mineral note builds as the wine opens up. Juicy and sharply focused on the mineral-inflected palate, offering intense, mineral-accented boysenberry, bitter cherry, licorice and violet pastille flavors with a touch of vanilla. The floral note comes back strong on the impressively long finish, which features youthfully grippy tannins and lingering spiciness. I also had the chance to try the 2010 version of this wine, and it was a knockout, with deep dark fruit character and suave floral and exotic spice accents. There's still plenty of structure present, so a little time in a decanter, or just plain old patience, is strongly advised.

Vinous (93)

Saturated magenta. Displays incisive red and dark berry scents that are complemented by suggestions of succulent flowers, baking spices and cracked pepper. Shows fine definition and mineral lift to its juicy cherry, black raspberry and spicecake flavors, which deepen slowly through the back half. Finishes long and gently chewy, with repeating spiciness and well-knit tannins.

Emanating refined elegance, the Constant-Duquesnoy In Fine 2019 is a harmonious symphony of quality and tradition. Created in one of France's most respected regions, Vinsobres, this wine speaks of the rich harmony between the diverse Rhône Valley terroir and meticulous vinification. Cultivated in the sun-drenched vineyards of Domaine Constant-Duquesnoy, the Grenache and Syrah varietals impart delectable expressions of ripe red fruits and a hint of spiced undertones.

Under Dominique Constant's expert guidance, only hand-selected grapes undergo a perfect blend of traditional and modern fermentation methods, aged meticulously in French oak casks. This process imbues the Constant-Duquesnoy In Fine 2019 with a splendid complexity, deeper hues and multi-layered nuances of flavour to delight the discerning palate.

With depth, elegance and a potent yet graceful finish, the Constant-Duquesnoy In Fine 2019 is a radiant testament to the domain's passion for winemaking excellence.

Hailing from France's Northern Rhône Valley, Coulet Cornas Terrasses du Serre 2009 is a supreme example of old-world winemaking. Cultivated by the illustrious Matthieu Barret, a third-generation vigneron known for his organic and biodynamic techniques, this fine wine boasts the heritage of Coulet's esteemed parcels planted in Cornas’ famed Terrasses du Serre.

Created from hand-harvested 100% Syrah grapes, its creation involved indigenous yeasts for natural fermentation. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels, the Coulet Cornas Terrasses du Serre 2009 matured quietly, imbued with complexity and depth.

Its ruby red hue leads to a nuanced bouquet of crushed blackberries and violets underscored by smoky undertones. The palate experiences a beautiful fusion of rich dark fruit, fresh acidity, and foundation of refined tannins, concluding with an enduring finish.

Each sip of Coulet Cornas Terrasses du Serre 2009 delivers a timeless expression of terroir, reflecting the ideal synergy of grape, soil, and climate of the Rhône Valley.

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

Moving to the Cornas releases, 2015 is an incredible vintage for this estate. Their 2015 Cornas Champelrose comes from slightly younger vines and was destemmed and brought up primarily in neutral barrels. It's a beautiful, elegant, charming Cornas (not something you say very often) that offers terrific notes of black raspberries, currants, incense, spice and violets. Its tannins are sweet, it's already delicious, yet it should evolve nicely for 10-15 years.

Vinous (94)

Dark violet color. Ripe dark berries, pungent flowers, licorice and cracked pepper on the expressive nose. Juicy and broad on entry, offering bitter cherry, black raspberry and baking spice flavors and a sweetening vanilla flourish. Round, polished tannins emerge slowly on a very long, smoky finish that strongly echoes the berry and floral notes.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

The utterly profound 2015 Cornas La Sabarotte comes from a terrific lieu-dit located in the heart of the appellation and is brought up all in new French oak. Its deep purple/blue color is followed by incredible notes of black raspberries, blueberries, spring flowers, caramelized meats and licorice. Deep, full-bodied, utterly seamless and profound on the palate, with building, sweet tannin, it's a tour de force that will have two decades or more of longevity!

Jeb Dunnuck (94-97)

The 2017 Cornas La Sabarotte is similarly purple-colored and boasts more black fruits, spice, chocolate, and dried soil/earthy notes. It's full-bodied, powerful and rounded, with a terrific sense of balance and purity paired with ample meatiness, density, and classic full-throttle Cornas character. It might just rival the 2016, which is saying something.

Jeb Dunnuck (94-97)

The 2017 Cornas La Sabarotte is similarly purple-colored and boasts more black fruits, spice, chocolate, and dried soil/earthy notes. It's full-bodied, powerful and rounded, with a terrific sense of balance and purity paired with ample meatiness, density, and classic full-throttle Cornas character. It might just rival the 2016, which is saying something.

Jeb Dunnuck (95-97)

The 2018 Cornas La Sabarotte sees the most new oak (100% actually) and comes from a rocky, granitic southeast facing lieu-dit and vines planted mostly in 1947. Despite the new oak élevage, you wouldn't know it by tasting it. It offers a monster bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, roasted meats, ground pepper, and chocolate, with plenty of classic Cornas meatiness and minerality. Powerful, full-bodied, and opulent on the palate, with a stacked mid-palate, it’s certainly the biggest, richest wine in the lineup. It's going to take 7-8 years for this to shed its considerable baby fat.

Vinous (96-98)

Glass-staining ruby color. Vibrant, mineral-accented black and blue fruits, olive, exotic spices and a potent violet note on the intensely perfumed nose. Palate-staining blackberry, bitter cherry, licorice and vanilla flavors display sharp detail and become sweeter as the wine opens up. A spicy, extremely long and chewy finish features quickly building tannins that play surprisingly well with the wine's sappy, clinging dark fruit character.

Vinous (92)

Glass-staining ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe dark fruit, incense and olive, and a smoky mineral flourish gains power with air. Shows very good depth as well as energy on the palate, offering densely packed blackberry and cherry liqueur flavors sharpened by a jolt of juicy acidity. In a rich yet lively style, showing impressive focus, youthfully chewy tannins and a very long, dark-fruit-driven finish.

Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)

From a cooler terroir in the northern part of the appellation, the 2017 Cornas Les Eygats is another brilliant example of this wine and the vintage. Thrilling crème de cassis, blueberry, and blackberry fruit notes give way to more ground pepper, granite-like minerality and liquid violet notes with time in the glass. Deep, rich, incredibly sexy, and voluptuous, it has remarkable purity of fruit, a supple, layered, sexy texture, and no hard edges. It's a brilliant, brilliant wine from this great estate.