M. Chapoutier : Lieu-Dit Saint-Pierre 2020

Dense and pleasingly chewy, this is distinctly savory, with layers of smoked bacon, tobacco and cigar box infusing a base of steeped plum. Concentrated and fleshy in feel, with olive tapenade and bolts of iron keeping this grounded. Reveals a kick of menthol, anise and orange peel on the finish, which adds brightness to the palate. Drink now through 2032.

From a parcel right at the top of the hill of Cornas. Enormous freshness and spice, with a racy mineral acidity that makes it so dynamic and vibrant. At this early stage in the development of the wine the tannins build to quite a dry crescendo at the finish, but just wait to see where this goes. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

Lastly, the single vineyard 2020 Cornas Saint Pierre is cut from the same cloth, offering beautiful red and black fruits as well as notes of acacia flowers, ground pepper, smoke, and iron. With medium to full body, fine, silky tannins, and terrific balance, it will evolve for 10-12 years with no issues.

The second vintage of this wine to be bottled, the 2020 Cornas Saint Pierre features a whiff of smoke alongside notes of crushed stone, cedar and red plums, even a bit of stone fruit. From a parcel near the top of the appellation, it's full-bodied, open-knit and seems likely to be fast maturing.