Cornas

Cornas is situated directly south of St. Joseph, and west of the river Rhône. It is 12 km south of Tournon and directly east of Valence. Importantly temperatures are hotter than Hermitage which is only 7km away. Its a small appellation located in a south-facing semi-ampitheatre with granite-rich soils. The appellation was established in 1938 and only red wines are produced solely from the Syrah grape.

A contributing factor to the style of the wines is the granite-based soil and the wines are made traditionally and often spend two years in oak. The wines are strong and powerful - a cross between Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, but typically with less elegance and finesse. They tend to be much more serious wines than either St. Joseph or Crozes-Hermitage.

Cornas can have a slightly raw and rustic side to them. Young Cornas can be deep, dense, almost pitch black in colour and ferociously tannic. After 5-10 years of ageing the best examples take on a more elegant and complex character marked by aromas of sous-bois and wild animals. 

• Recommended Producers: Robert Michel, Augustus Clape, Paul Jaboulet
• Best Vintages: 2006,2005,2004, 2001, 1999, 1991, 1990