2015 Cornas Granit 60

Like the Granite 30, the 2015 Cornas Granite 60 has an incredibly unevolved, barrel sample-like feel. Inky colored, with lots of blueberry and cassis fruit intermixed with searing black pepper, liquid violets and roasted herbs, it has full-bodied richness, a rounded, opulent texture and serious tannic grip. It's gorgeously textured, balanced and pure, and is going to knock your socks off with 2-3 years of bottle age, and keep for two decades. This cuvée comes from the Patou, Les Mazards, and Sauman lieux-dits (this includes some sandy sections as well as plenty of granite terroirs) and was 70% destemmed. The wines from the young Vincent Paris (who is now co-president of the Cornas Appellation) continue to get better and better every year, and he’s produced brilliant wines in both 2015 and 2016. It’s important to understand the three Cornas cuvées: Granite 30, Granite 60, and La Geynale. The Granite 30 is a younger vine cuvée from less steep hillside parcels (roughly 30 degrees), and it’s mostly destemmed and brought up in a mix of mostly used barrels. There are about 1,000 cases produced. The Granite 60 comes from older vines in the Patou, Les Mazards and Sauman lieux-dits, and steep slopes (60 degrees). This cuvée sees some stem inclusion and a similar time in mostly used barrels. This cuvée is normally a solid step up in depth and quality over the Granite 30. Roughly 400 cases is a normal production level for this release. Lastly, the La Geynale comes from the oldest vines of the estate, which were planted in 1910 and are located in the Geynale and Reynard lieux-dit. This cuvée sees very little destemming and is aged in, again, mostly neutral barrels. This is always the most backward, classically styled release in the lineup and takes a few years to integrate its stems. Nevertheless, it’s an incredible Cornas.

The 2015 Cornas Granit 60 blends three different parcels. Old vines are fermented whole cluster, accounting for 30% to 40% of the total. This is very much Cornas—dark and bloody with hints of crushed stones and plummy fruit. It’s firm and austere as Cornas can be but ripe at the same time. Give it several years in the cellar, and drink it over the next decade and a half.

Bright magenta. Spice- and smoke-accented dark berry, floral pastille and olive aromas on the deeply perfumed nose, complicated by a touch of game. Densely packed bitter cherry and cassis flavors reveal an undertone of juicy minerality that adds vibrant lift and cut. Picks up a spicecake quality on the sweet, expansive and strikingly long finish, which is framed by youthful but harmonious tannins.