Wine Advisor
Courbis, Cornas Les Eygats 2016
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Brilliant magenta. Powerful, mineral-accented boysenberry, cherry preserve, violet and olive aromas are complemented by a smoky mineral nuance that builds in the glass. Palate-staining dark berry, licorice and bitter chocolate flavors pick up notes of candied flowers, vanilla and smoky minerals on the back half. Powerful but surprisingly lithe in style, finishing extremely long, with sharp delineation and gently gripping tannins that emerge slowly.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(50% new oak) Deep ruby. Assertive black and blue fruit, licorice pastille, bacon and violet aromas are complemented by a smoky mineral accent. Seamless and broad on the palate, offering alluringly sweet boysenberry, cola and floral pastille flavors and a suave touch of exotic spices. Finishes with repeating mineral and dark fruit character, delivering smooth, well-knit tannins and impressive tenacity.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
The 2016 Cornas les Eygats is aging in 50% new oak and will likely be bottled in March 2018. It’s inky in hue, with enthralling notes of crushed stone and ripe plums on the nose. It’s full-bodied, rich and velvety on the palate yet also fresh, bright and lively. This won’t need much cellaring to round into form; drink from 2020.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Licorice and star anise with ripe, dark plums, blackberries and pepper. The palate has a very lively, smoothly rendered core of ripe, long, glossy tannins. Nice detail. Drink or hold.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(50% new oak) Deep ruby. Assertive black and blue fruit, licorice pastille, bacon and violet aromas are complemented by a smoky mineral accent. Seamless and broad on the palate, offering alluringly sweet boysenberry, cola and floral pastille flavors and a suave touch of exotic spices. Finishes with repeating mineral and dark fruit character, delivering smooth, well-knit tannins and impressive tenacity.
About the Producer
The Courbis family have been making wine from their cellars in Chateaubourg since 1587. Brothers Laurent and Dominique have taken over from their father, Maurice, and there is a real wind of change and optimism blowing at this estate. The Courbis brothers produce some of the most compelling examples of St. Joseph and Cornas being made today. They have successfully combined their long family experience with a modern style, and their achievement has earned them international recognition. The estate owns 33 hectares divided as follows: 8 hectares in Cornas; 5 hectares of St Joseph Blanc; 19 hectares of St Joseph Rouge and 1 hectare of Syrah Vin de Pays de l’Ardeche.
