Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cornas Nouvelle Les Rieux, Rhone, France 2023

A distinctive, high-altitude expression of Cornas from Guillaume Gilles, one of the Northern Rhône’s most exciting traditional producers. Sourced from Les Rieux, a granite-rich site sitting approximately 400–450 meters above sea level, Nouvelle R offers a more lifted and perfumed interpretation of Syrah than the domaine’s classic Cornas. The 2023 reveals beautiful aromas of blackberry, cassis, violets, cracked pepper and wild herbs, followed by a focused, energetic palate with fine-grained tannins, savory depth and a long mineral finish. Made from 100% Syrah, this is an elegant yet unmistakably serious Cornas, combining the appellation’s natural power with freshness and finesse. A terrific bottle for lovers of traditional Northern Rhône Syrah.