2011 Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 30

Moving to the 2011s, these are all superb and possess classic Cornas characteristics without any rusticity or coarseness (which is becoming more the norm in the appellation than not). Layered and reasonably approachable, the 2011 Cornas Granit 30 possesses fantastic notes of violets, crushed rock, plum, blackberry and spring flowers to go with a medium to full-bodied, rich, yet elegant and seamless feel on the palate. Give it a couple years and enjoy it through 2026. An up and coming superstar of Cornas, Vincent Paris manages his roughly 20-acre estate to produce three Cornas; the Granit 30, which comes from younger vines located lower on the slope, in the lieu-dit Mazards; the Granite 60, which includes the older vines of the estate (and comes from steeper, higher elevation slopes); and the La Geynale, which comes from a single plot of 100-year-old vines located mostly in the Renard lieu-dit (it is also the only wine to not see any destemming). With regards to the Granit 30 and Granit 60, the number refers to the slope of the hill where the vines are planted, not the age of the vines. While 2011 and 2012 produced a bevy of more forward, moderately concentrated wines, both of these 2011s and 2012s buck that trend and offer serious depth and richness. They’re some of the top wines in the appellation and readers need to get on this young vigneron’s bandwagon! Importer: A Thomas Calder Selection (various importers). Paris fax: 011 33 1 46 45 15 29

Deep ruby. Intense black raspberry and cherry aromas are complemented by notes of mace, violet and smoky minerals. Sweet, silky and pure, with pure dark berry and bitter cherry flavors braced by tangy acidity. Finishes supple, sweet and long, with a lingering note of candied violet.

Moving to the 2011s, these are all superb and possess classic Cornas characteristics without any rusticity or coarseness (which is becoming more the norm in the appellation than not). Layered and reasonably approachable, the 2011 Cornas Granit 30 possesses fantastic notes of violets, crushed rock, plum, blackberry and spring flowers to go with a medium to full-bodied, rich, yet elegant and seamless feel on the palate. Give it a couple years and enjoy it through 2026. Dec 2013, www.robertparker.com