2013 Cornas

Inky ruby. Smoke- and spice-accented scents of dried cherry, black currant and violet pastille complicated by a hint of olive paste. Juicy and smooth on the palate, offering intense, deeply concentrated dark berry and licorice flavors and a touch of cracked pepper. Comes off elegant and precise, finishing with thrust and gentle, harmonious tannins. This wine had just been bottled when I tasted it in Verset's cellar so I'm scoring it in a range for now.