Wine Advisor
Alain Voge, Cornas Les Chailles 2010
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The opaque purple-colored 2010 Cornas Les Chailles offers up scents of smoked game and charcoal, a full-bodied mouthfeel, supple tannins and pedal-to-the metal richness and density. Already drinkable, it has at least 15 years of aging potential. One of the superstars of Cornas is Domaine Alain Voge. In the top vintages, three cuvees are made, but in most years only two are produced, Vieilles Vignes and Les Chailles, from Voge’s 15 plus acres of Syrah planted on the decomposed granite slopes of Cornas. He also produces small quantities of St.-Joseph and as many as four cuvees of white wine from St.-Peray, including a sparkling white. The family has 10 acres of vines in this appellation, planted with 95% Marsanne and 5% Roussanne. Voge is also a leader in producing serious white wines from the up-and-coming micro-appellation of St.-Peray. I did not taste the sparkling white Voge and his brilliant assistant, Albert Mazoyer produce, but readers seeking a top white wine need look no further than Voge’s Fleur de Crussol. The real glories at Voge are his extraordinary offerings from Cornas. The three 2010 Cornas represent the pinnacle of Voge’s winemaking. They are the finest wines I have yet tasted from this estate (and I’ve been tasting their wines since the late seventies). Importer: Citadel Trading Corp., New York, NY; tel. (212) 245-2844
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2010 Cornas Les Chailles, from a lieu-dit in the steep hills of Cornas, exhibits an opaque purple color as well as a beautiful bouquet of bacon fat, roasted meats, black raspberries, blackberries and hints of earth, crushed rocks and spring flowers. Full-bodied and rich, with zesty acidity and moderately high tannins, it requires 5-7 years of cellaring and should drink well over the following two decades. (Not yet released) Voge has turned in extraordinary Cornas offerings in both 2009 and 2010. He is also one of the finest producers of dry St.-Peray, which compete with the top wines of that appellation now being produced by Stephane Robert. Voge’s 2010 Cornas may only be eclipsed by his 2009s. These wines are now being made by Albert Mazoyers, who worked for many years with Michel Chapoutier and is one of the most respected young wine producers in the northern Rhone. The spectacular 2009s may be the finest wines I have ever tasted from Alain Voge. Importer: Citadel Trading Corp., New York, NY; tel. (212) 245-2844
About the Producer
Domaine Alain Voge is a family-run winery based in Cornas and has over time built itself the reputation as a superstar of the appellation and its benchmark without doubt. It was founded many generations ago but was blessed with the talented beginnings in winemaking by Alain himself in 1958. Alain tore up the rule book, updated the winemaking techniques of his father, expanded the vineyards and began bottling his wines himself. With over 70 parcels of vines totaling seven hectares, it is no wonder that Alain Voge sometimes seems distracted. Half in jest, he says that the reason he harvests so late is to figure out which vines are his. He spent some time under Albéric Mazoyer, manager and associate of Alain Voge from 2004-2018, before progressing further and making a start in organic production. Thus, since 2013,the whole vineyard is run using biodynamic agriculture, where an artisan and entirely manual viticulture is practiced on the slopes of the Rhône’s rive droite. Since 2018,Lionel Fraissehas been at the helm. He continues to champion the sustainable winemaking of his predecessors.
