Wine Advisor
Alain Voge, Cornas Les Chailles 2017
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
Coming largely from the more fertile soils at the bottom of the slope, Voge's 2017 Cornas les Chailles is a silky, approachable version of Cornas, with just a bit more depth and structure than the Saint-Joseph. Enchanting herbal-floral notes appear on the nose, while the palate offers hints of crushed stone and blueberry fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, finishing long and violet-laden.
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.