2011 Cornas, Domaine du Tunnel, Rhône

2011 Cornas, Domaine du Tunnel, Rhône

Product: 20118008033
 
2011 Cornas, Domaine du Tunnel, Rhône

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Description

In the Cornas, 15 parcels have been vinified separately, the age and style of the barrique specifically selected to enhance the character of the plot in question. Many of the plots are full of the older vines, found immediately behind the village. To suggest that top Cornas can be in any way approachable in youth is heresy, but Stéphane comes close with his 2011. The elegance and floral flamboyance of the wine are supported by ripe fruit tannins and plenty of silky, savoury charm.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer

Stéphane and Sandrine have built what I think a Valence Estate Agent would describe as a ‘dream house’ in the steep Cornas hillside behind St Peray. An unfeasible amount of glass ensures that the views of the serpentine Rhône are spectacular indeed; let us hope that window taxes have been abolished in this part of the Ardèche. Behind the property lies the eponymous tunnel, a former railway track long since abandoned, but now destined for summer parties and receptions. Stéphane is pleased with his 2011 wines; he praises their aromatic harmony and the quality of the fruit.

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Critics reviews

Wine Advocate93-95+/100
I only tasted one 2011 Cornas offering, a dense purple-colored, beautifully textured effort with loads of black raspberry, blackberry and cassis fruit. Full-bodied, opulent and supple, it will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 10-15 years.

Impressive wines from Cornas as well as the emerging appellation of St.-Peray have been produced by Stephane Robert. All three of the 2010 Cornas are brilliant examples of wines from this bucolic appellation sitting in a natural amphitheater (largely decomposed granite and gravel) with exceptional terroirs and expositions for most of its vineyards.
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #204, Dec 2012
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Robert Parker93-95+/100
I only tasted one 2011 Cornas offering, a dense purple-colored, beautifully textured effort with loads of black raspberry, blackberry and cassis fruit. Full-bodied, opulent and supple, it will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 10-15 years.

Impressive wines from Cornas as well as the emerging appellation of St.-Peray have been produced by Stephane Robert. All three of the 2010 Cornas are brilliant examples of wines from this bucolic appellation sitting in a natural amphitheater (largely decomposed granite and gravel) with exceptional terroirs and expositions for most of its vineyards.
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #204, Dec 2012
Read more

About this WINE

Domaine Du Tunnel

Domaine Du Tunnel

Located in a somewhat anonymous back-street of St Peray in Rhone, Domaine Du Tunnel is forging a reputation as one of the leading wine producers in newly rejuvenated villages of St Peray and Cornas, both famous through history and throughout France for making, respectively, excellent white and red wines.

Now, with the savoir faire of young vignerons such as Stéphane Robert, this reputation is set to achieve more international recognition.

Stephane began building this domain in 1994, when he was 24. He now works with 3ha in Cornas, 2.5 in Saint Joseph and 2 in Saint Peray, most of which he owns Aiming for wines which are characterised by fruit intensity rather than oak

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Cornas

Cornas

Cornas is a small appellation, just 150 hectares, located south of St Joseph. It’s on the west side of the river. The name “Cornas” comes from an old Celtic dialect term, meaning “burnt land”, so it’s no surprise that on the steep terraces here, facing south, temperatures are significantly higher than those in Hermitage, which is just 7km away.

The granite soils are home to the Syrah grape, producing reds that sit somewhere between those of Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. These are strong and powerful wines, with nervy acidity and a robust, rustic charm to them. Their prominent tannins mean that they often demand time in the cellar to express their underlying elegance and complexity.

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Syrah/Shiraz

Syrah/Shiraz

A noble black grape variety grown particularly in the Northern Rhône where it produces the great red wines of Hermitage, Cote Rôtie and Cornas, and in Australia where it produces wines of startling depth and intensity. Reasonably low yields are a crucial factor for quality as is picking at optimum ripeness. Its heartland, Hermitage and Côte Rôtie, consists of 270 hectares of steeply terraced vineyards producing wines that brim with pepper, spices, tar and black treacle when young. After 5-10 years they become smooth and velvety with pronounced fruit characteristics of damsons, raspberries, blackcurrants and loganberries.

It is now grown extensively in the Southern Rhône where it is blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre to produce the great red wines of Châteauneuf du Pape and Gigondas amongst others. Its spiritual home in Australia is the Barossa Valley, where there are plantings dating as far back as 1860. Australian Shiraz tends to be sweeter than its Northern Rhône counterpart and the best examples are redolent of new leather, dark chocolate, liquorice, and prunes and display a blackcurrant lusciousness.

South African producers such as Eben Sadie are now producing world- class Shiraz wines that represent astonishing value for money.

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