2007 Cornas Les Grandes Terraces

Opaque ruby. A complex smoke- and spice-accented bouquet evokes black and blue fruits, fruitcake, anise and black pepper. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering smoky cassis and cherry-cola flavors plus a touch of candied violet. Supple tannins come in late and add grip to the long, sweet, penetrating finish, with the anise note echoing. Drinking very well now, this wine, which is the current release in the U.S., would be a fantastic purchase for a restaurant that cares to offer bottles with some proper age on them--rather than ageworthy ones that were bottled less than a year ago.