Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cornas, Rhone, France 2022

A terrific expression of traditional Cornas from Guillaume Gilles, one of the appellation's most exciting young-generation winemakers. Having trained with legendary Northern Rhône producers Jean-Louis Chave and Robert Michel, Gilles has developed a distinctive style that emphasizes the purity of Syrah and the rugged granite terroir of Cornas. The 2022 is deep and concentrated, offering aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, cassis and violets, layered with smoked meat, black olive, licorice, cracked pepper and crushed stone. The palate is powerful yet beautifully balanced, with concentrated dark fruit, firm but ripe tannins and remarkable mineral intensity. Made from old-vine Syrah grown on the granite slopes of the Chaillot lieu-dit, with whole-cluster fermentation and aging in older French oak barrels, this is authentic, soulful Cornas with tremendous character and longevity. A serious bottle for lovers of classic Northern Rhône Syrah.