Wine Advisor
Johann Michel, Cornas 2021
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Opaque ruby. Highly perfumed, mineral and spice-accented red and dark berry preserve, floral, olive and smoked meat aromas, along with a spicy nuance that builds steadily in the glass. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering sweet blueberry, cherry-cola, spicecake and espresso flavors, with a touch of black pepper. Finishes very long and smoky, with mounting tannins and repeating florality. 20% whole clusters.
About the Producer
Johann Michel discovered his passion for wine while tasting old wines in Cornas with his grandfather and uncle, the famous winemaker Robert Miche. The first vintage of his own label Cornas was 1997. He is now at the Cornas farm 4.17 hectares, one of the smallest AOCs in France (only 288 hectares), located in Bayonnet, Les Côtes, Chaillots and Leonine lieux-dits of Saveaux. Although his current methods largely make up the grounds, Michel is interested in biodynamics and has begun to incorporate practices such as cooper treatments rather than harsher chemicals on the vines. Cornas AOC yields are notoriously low (33 hl/ha), which explains the concentration of the juice. His total annual production is only about £20,000 a year.
