2021 Cornas Premices
Domaine Durand

$34.99 on 3+ (code: 3saves3)
$37.99 reg
mix & match OK

90 pts Dunnuck
The entry level release from this terrific estate is the 2021 Cornas Prémices. It showed well and has the vintage's juicy, crunchy style in its darker red and blue fruits as well as flower, peppery herbs, and a kiss of classic Cornas iron and subtle bloody character. Medium-bodied and balanced, with integrated acidity, it's impeccably made and will have 7-8 years of prime drinking.

*** JLL - John Livingstone-Learmonth
(casks) deep robe; the bouquet has a swarthy depth, shows roasting, smoky bacon, with a sweet herbs, savoury tone, sleek black cherry on the inside. The palate gives a compact set of black fruited content, is easy and open enough already, a little floral. The fruit lasts well enough but its furnishing could be more resounding. It scratches at the surface of Cornas rather delving into it. 13.5°. €27 at the domaine. From spring 2024. 2038-40 Oct 2022

Vineyards:
Syrah mainly from southern zone Patou, granite soils, “our seduction wine, with a grain of Cornas at the same time”, destemmed, 18-21 day vinification, pumping overs, part vat emptying/refilling, cap punching, aged 20-25% new 228-litre, 75-80% 1-5 year 228-litre oak casks (600-litre casks have been used until mid-2010s) 12 months, fined, filtered, first wine 2004, 6,000 b