M. Chapoutier : Les Arènes 2019

So much smoked-bacon character and dusty earthiness make this a striking Cornas, but behind these figures on the stage hangs a curtain of ripe blackberry fruit. Plenty of power and quite a dense tannin base on the palate, but the finish is only moderately dry and this impressive red is already drinkable. Drink now.

The 2019 Cornas Les Arênes has lots of granite-like character (although this comes from a mix of terroirs) in its bouquet garni, morello cherry, spice, and powdered rock and smoky nuances. Beautiful on the palate as well, it’s medium to full-bodied, has ripe yet building tannins, remarkable elegance, and a great finish. It’s beautifully done and just a classic, dark, smoky Cornas to drink over the coming 10-15 years.

Smoky, bacon-like nose; on the palate, you find the bite of the slopes of Cornas, in a cornas style—always a little more rustic than Saint-Joseph but with its inimitable charm.