2015 Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes

The 2015 Cornas Empreintes is unique in the lineup as it comes 30% from more limestone soils. It’s 75% destemmed and aged in 20% new French oak. It's more elegant and focused than the opulent Premices and gives up lots of blackberry and cassis fruits, leather, crushed rock and pepper aromatics. Deep, rich, beautifully concentrated and pure, it needs short-term cellaring but is a brilliant wine that’s going to impress for 10-15 years. One of my favorite Cornas estate is that of brothers Eric and Joël Durand, who took over the running of this family estate in 1991. The winemaking is a mix of modern and traditional, with some destemming when needed, fermentations occurring in tank and concrete, and aging mostly in used barrels, with just a tiny amount being new. Their 2015s are certainly on par with what was produced in 2009 and 2010, and these are terrific, character filled wines I’d be happy to have in my cellar.

Produced from 30-year-old vines and aged in 20% new oak, the 2015 Cornas Empreintes features classic Cornas notes of crushed stone, bloody meat and red plums. It’s full-bodied, rich and packed with fruit and tannin but supple at the same time. It’s mouth-filling and round, then finishes long, dry and mouthwatering.