2016 Cotes du Rhone

Coming from stony, rocky soils around the village of Cornas, the 2016 Côte du Rhône is, as always, a terrific wine that's loaded with character. Its deep purple/plum color is followed by a smorgasbord of Syrah goodness; blackcurrants, black cherries, smoked meats, pepper and licorice all give way to a medium to full-bodied, unctuous and ripe 2016 that has plenty of power and richness. This is a larger scaled 2016 to drink over the coming 4-5 years. This tiny, yet undeniable reference-point estate in Cornas produces one of the most singular, distinct wines in the world. Run over the past few decades by Pierre-Marie Clape, the estate is slowly transitioning over the young, talented Olivier Clape. This is a bastion of traditional winemaking and the wines are not destemmed, see long fermentations, and are aged in ancient barrels and casks. The 2015s are certainly on par with what was accomplished in 2009 and 2010, and these are incredible, legendary wines in the making.

The 2016 Cotes du Rhone is essentially declassified Cornas, so it's entirely Syrah but from young vines. It combines tarry notes with cherry fruit and some earthy notes. It’s medium-bodied, with firm, dusty tannins on the finish.

Old vine Syrah. Bottled in August 2017. Mushroom and earth on the nose – quite earthy and feral with firm, ambitious tannin. Black cherry and olive to finish. Bold, intense. (RH)