A Coupla Cornas

alan_weinberg · July 2, 2020, 11:25pm

Fu probably Cornas the market here in the US. Glad it’s not a Burg note or I’d have to buy.

Andrew_S · July 3, 2020, 2:40pm

Couldn’t agree more, Robert. Especially the 2015s out now. Mostly serine, planted on granite after WW 2. I’m told 20-30% whole cluster. Only 15% new oak, the rest old 600 liter casks. Meat, olives, violets. They make a few different SJ cuvées but the straight vv is fantastic. Woodland Hills introduced us to LF. The Côte-Rôtie Reviniscence in 2015 is terrific as well as the viognier is done with a more deft touch.

We’ll probably open a bottle this Independence Day weekend now that you’ve mentioned it.

Peter_Valiquette · August 11, 2020, 8:45pm

The 2016 Geynale is already drinking beautifully.

We opened one last weekend along with a 2016 Cayuse En Chamberlin…fun comparison.

John_Morris · August 11, 2020, 10:26pm

Paris is interesting as a winemaker as his 30/60 cuvees generally come across more modern and glossy, whereas his Geynale cuvee is generally more traditional in structure and profile. They are different vineyards, different vines. Would love to know whether there are any winemaking differences between the three cuvees, as there are things that a winemaker can do to make a young wine more approachable or come across more modern, such as, later picking of grapes for more ripeness and lower acid, more oak treatment (new versus old, more toast, longer aging, etc.), micro-oxygenation, etc.

I only buy the Geynale cuvee, it’s a pretty famous vineyard that Paris inherited from Robert Michel, I think in 2007. I have not yet tried the 2016, and doubt I will for 10 years minimum.

Interesting tid-bit from the distributor:

Next up are his Cornas Granit “30” and “60”, designations that refer to the gradient slope of the vineyards. The Granit 30 is concentrated black fruit in a relatively “consumer friendly” style – perhaps a bit more Syrah-ish than Cornas-ish- whereas the 60 is classic Cornas: dense, with aromas of kidney and iron, and a terrific mineral underpinning. Last in the range is very small amount of Cornas “La Geynale”, a blend of mostly Genale from the 1910 plantings he purchased from his uncle, along with 20-30% from neighboring Reynard. The addition of the “y” in Geynale is a nod to this unique blend.

Polaner, the importer, gives more details. I suspect what you’re describing as “modern” is mostly less stem inclusion:

Granit 30: Younger vines on a less steep slope. No stems.
Granit 60: Older vines on slopes of ~60%. 33% whole cluster.
Geynale: Extremely old vines. 90% whole cluster.

All are fermented 2/3 in barrel and 1/3 in tank. All are aged in barrel for a year or so.

Robert.A.Jr · August 11, 2020, 11:45pm

So the vineyard makes the biggest difference? There is a difference.