2014 Cornas Reynard 1,5 l Thierry Allemand

This is the older (40+) vine wine that has a deeper set of spices and darker fruits with strong, stony perfume, licorice, dark plum, dark chocolate and pepper. The palate delivers a level of juxtaposed power and elegance seen only in the greatest wines. Tannins are saturated in dark plum and blackberry flavor. Acidity winds it tight. Dark spicy finish. Can be approached young but will peak from 2025 onwards.

Youthful violet. Intense, mineral-accented aromas of blackberry and boysenberry, joined by suave Indian spice and incense notes as the wine opens up. Youthfully nervy and focused on the palate, offering bright blue fruit, violet and spicecake flavors that show outstanding clarity and mineral lift. Closes sappy and pure, showing harmonious tannins and leaving a vibrant blue fruit note behind.

Brilliant purple. Intensely perfumed, mineral-tinged scents of musky cherry pit, blueberry, candied licorice and olive; a smoky bacon nuance builds quickly in the glass. Densely packed and appealingly sweet, offering sappy, sharply focused black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors complicated by suggestions of spicecake and floral pastilles. This sexy wine hits all the classic Syrah notes and finishes very long and sweet, with dusty tannins sneaking in late.