It may be a surprise to some but the Northern Rhône can only make around 1/10th of the wine that the Southern Rhône can produce and this is a contributing factor to why prices can be significantly higher in the 'home of Syrah'. Luckily, there are still producers that provide incredible value for money in the region. Microproducer Dumien-Serrette, of Cornas, is one of those with their most recent Rhône En Primeur 2019 release.

A Cru Exclusive in the UK, the Dumien-Serrette Cornas Patou 2019 is a 'phenomenal Cornas' in the eyes of Rhône specialist Jeb Dunnuck. Scoring 95-97 points, it is the best vintage yet and joint-highest scoring Cornas from the Rhône 2019 campaign so far, astounding when you consider this is released at only £30 per bottle IB.

'Another brilliant wine in the making from this small family estate' (JD), the wine is named after the steep, granite slopes of the Patou lieu-dit, where the wine's 80 year old vines are located. Full-bodied and rich with aromas of 'awesome black and blue fruits, ground pepper, beef blood, and spring flower', it all results in 'a monster of a finish' (JD).

Only tiny quantities of this 100% Syrah are made, with just a 1,000 six packs being produced in 2019. Although it will need some time to open up, Dunnuck advises the 2019 will cellar up to 2060.

Whilst this estate has been passed down through the generations for nearly a hundred years, the wines have been made by Nicolas Serrette since 2006. While it is still a traditionally run estate, there have been some modern concessions and the wines have been 100% destemmed since the 2010 vintage but ageing still occurs all in older oak to ensure that the true expression of the Patou lieu-dit terroir shines through.

Released today at only £180 per six IB, the Dumien-Serrette Cornas Patou 2019 is an incredibly ageworthy wine and one of the best in Cornas. A wine for those who want to enjoy the splendour of Northern Rhône Syrah without having to the pay the prices of top quality Côte-Rôtie or Hermitage, it comes warmly recommended.