{"title":"Cornas Wine Collection","description":"\u003cp\u003eCornas Syrah wines from France’s renowned Rhone Valley are the epitome of power and elegance. Crafted from 100% Syrah grapes, these reds are built to age gracefully, developing complex layers of dark fruit, spice, and smoky minerality over decades. Once a hidden gem, Cornas has become a cult-level appellation in recent decades, attracting collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"somm2409-dds22patou-750","title":"2022 Domaine Dumien-Serrette, Cornas \"Patou\"","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDomaine Dumien-Serrette is a beacon of traditional, small-scale Cornas: Everything from the acreage to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecave \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eto the proprietors themselves is diminutive—except the wine, which positively towers above the competition with its intoxicating flavors, brooding depth, and meticulous craftsmanship. Their “Patou” has become a house favorite of ours here at SommSelect, a luxurious Syrah powerhouse that hypnotizes the drinker into pouring another glass. So it was with much anticipation that we welcomed Nicolas Serrette to our Sonoma office a couple of months ago to taste his just released 2022s. To say I was impressed would be a monumental understatement. The wines were impeccably balanced, and shockingly drinkable for young Cornas–but make no mistake that they have the goods to age gracefully for many years to come. All of that and the prices remain incredibly reasonable; we have very limited amounts, don’t miss them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBONUS\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “Patou” is very limited, but the estate’s top cuvée “Henri” is painfully so. This is a special selection from vines that are about 100 years old. We have two cases, click \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"HERE\" href=\"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/products\/somm2409-dds22henri-750\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHERE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e before they’re gone!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*Please note: we expect both of these bottles to arrive in our warehouse at the end of August. Shipping will take place then, weather permitting. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCornas is known for small parcels of vines on steep slopes, but “Patou” takes the idea of “small” to new extremes. It measures just 1.5 hectares, and the name is a play on the French words \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003etout\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e meaning, “not all” or “not much.” While it might not be much in size, this postage stamp of a vineyard packs a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elot \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eof character, bursting with granitic, smoky splendor and indulgent black-currant-and-forest-floor flavors so typical of fine Cornas. Most beguiling of all are the floral essences that distinguish Dumien-Serrette from its more conventional neighbors, a bouquet so persistent and recognizable that little “Patou” has become an indisputable sensation around here. And finally, because Cornas’ Syrahs still grow in the shadow of their Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie counterparts, this bottle is perfect for collectors who want wines that outperform their price tags. Whether you indulge in “Patou” next week or in ten years, I expect you’ll draw the same conclusion we did: this wine is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eall that\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and more.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn an appellation defined by its painfully limited production (only 125 hectares of vineyard total!), Domaine Dumien-Serrette is still considered tiny. This darling of Cornas was only founded in 1983, despite the fact that previous generations of the Dumien family had sold their precious fruit to the larger producers upriver for decades—Delas, Jaboulet, Chapoutier. Gilbert Serrette put his foot down in the early ‘80s, deciding to try his hand at crafting Cornas to match his formidable spirit—an inky, concentrated, beauty eked out from 70-100-year-old vines planted directly onto decomposed granite. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, Nicolas Serrette has picked up where his father Gilbert left off. Both Serrette men are small, sturdy, and energetic as if they’ve assumed the qualities of their beloved vineyards. Or is it the other way around? It would only make sense, considering how much time they’ve invested in their vineyard. ‘Patou’ could easily be farmed in someone’s sprawling backyard and indeed, Nicolas’ approach is more like gardening than it is viticulture. He tends ‘Patou’ according to organic principles, but sees no need to shell out for expensive certification. Dumien-Serrette’s only law is their own, measured by the health of their grapes and the quality of their wines. All the vineyard work is done by hand, and Gilbert even invented a special little cart to pull him slowly up the steep rows while they work. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecave\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is no less rustic. Tiny and slightly chaotic,  it’s tucked in the lee of Cornas’ exceptionally large church spire. There, Nicolas’ use of foot crushing and a manual press underline the traditional inclination of his domaine, but the unparalleled attention to detail that connects every step of the winemaking process is modern enough. The 2022 “Patou” was aged for approximately one year in older French oak barrels—generally between two and seven years of age—before bottling unfined and unfiltered. It all combines to produce one of the finest $75-and-under Cornas’ possible, a “must try” for any lover of the northern Rhône. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an inky, bottomless Syrah, almost entirely opaque and winking with profound black and purple glimmers. It’s surprisingly perfumed for such a dense and powerful wine—those old vines manage to wrestle miraculously floral notes of anise and purple rose from the granite. In terrific defiance of its name, “Patou” hits the palate like a freight train full of currant and blackberry jam, tinged with aromas of fresh-crushed pine-needles. Notes of grilled meat, bitter cacao, kirsch, candied violet, and wild herbs blend to form a potent crescendo of savory versus sweet on the palate. Thankfully, the 2022 has enough nerve and electricity to maintain deft balance despite a hefty dose of fine tannin and enough flavor to knock every thought out of your head except, “wow.” I strongly recommend a half-hour decant and a hearty meal to do justice to “Patou’s” imposing personality. Try these lamb and fig skewers and don’t forget what I said about being priced for collection...this is just starting to pick up steam.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42882775810102,"sku":"SOMM2409-DDS22PATOU-750","price":59.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2022DomaineDumien-Serrette_CornasPatou_MainImage-1800x1800.jpg?v=1721309707"},{"product_id":"somm2409-dds22henri-750","title":"2022 Domaine Dumien-Serrette, Cornas \"Henrí\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cspan\u003eNicolas Serrette farms a scant 1.5 hectares of Cornas from his family’s vineyard known as “Patou.” But apparently this wasn't small enough for him, because in 2013 he introduced a very special, and achingly tiny production, cuvée called “Henri.” Named after his grandfather, who would have turned 100 in 2013, this is a selection of the best grape bunches from the heart of the parcel. The vines are about the same age as Grandpa Henri would have been, and those centurions give incredible depth, power, and complexity to this soaring Syrah masterpiece. This is definitely one for the cellar, so if you’re lucky enough to grab a few bottles (we only have a couple cases total!) be sure to also load up on the “Patou” so you can enjoy some Cornas while you wait on the “Henri” to blossom. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*Note\u003c\/strong\u003e: this is a pre-arrival offer. We expect the wine to arrive and be ready to ship by late August weather permitting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn an appellation defined by its painfully limited production (only 125 hectares of vineyard total!), Domaine Dumien-Serrette is still considered tiny. This darling of Cornas was only founded in 1983, despite the fact that previous generations of the Dumien family had sold their precious fruit to the larger producers upriver for decades—Delas, Jaboulet, Chapoutier. Gilbert Serrette put his foot down in the early ‘80s, deciding to try his hand at crafting Cornas to match his formidable spirit—an inky, concentrated, beauty eked out from 70-100-year-old vines planted directly onto decomposed granite. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, Nicolas Serrette has picked up where his father Gilbert left off. Both Serrette men are small, sturdy, and energetic as if they’ve assumed the qualities of their beloved vineyards. Or is it the other way around? It would only make sense, considering how much time they’ve invested in their vineyard. ‘Patou’ could easily be farmed in someone’s sprawling backyard and indeed, Nicolas’ approach is more like gardening than it is viticulture. He tends ‘Patou’ according to organic principles, but sees no need to shell out for expensive certification. Dumien-Serrette’s only law is their own, measured by the health of their grapes and the quality of their wines. All the vineyard work is done by hand, and Gilbert even invented a special little cart to pull him slowly up the steep rows while they work. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike its sibling “Patou,” the 2022 “Henri” pours a deep, almost opaque purple-black with some garnet and magenta at the rim. Serve it at cellar temperature in a Bordeaux stem after a long decant and you’ll get a rush of ripe plums, blackberries, raspberry liqueur, and crushed violets that then give way to savory notes of smoked meat, black and white pepper, rosemary, and pine. The tannins are robust and the rocky, granitic minerality is pronounced, but with time the edges will soften and this will blossom into a soaring, sensationally complex Syrah. All that and the price still clocks in at well under $100. Grab some before it disappears!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42882777710646,"sku":"SOMM2409-DDS22HENRI-750","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2022DomaineDumien-Serrette_CornasHenri_MainImage-1800x1800.jpg?v=1722280481"},{"product_id":"2021-domaine-christophe-pichon-cornas-all-goriesomm2505-phcn21crns-750","title":"2021 Domaine Christophe Pichon, Cornas \"Allégorie\"","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 1961, when Philippe Pichon started farming, wine wasn't fashionable—fruit and vegetables paid the bills. But Philippe remembered running through his grandfather's vine rows as a child, and when the government expropriated riverside farmland in the 1970s, he saw opportunity where others saw only abandoned hillsides.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArmed with shovels and picks, Philippe cleared overgrown terraces around Condrieu, rebuilt centuries-old dry-stone walls, and planted vines on slopes everyone else had written off. His son Christophe—who used to call in sick from school to help with harvest—joined the estate in 1987 and took over in 2000.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, Christophe and his son Corentin craft wines that honor this hard-won terroir. The Cornas “Allégorie” comes from a single hectare of 15-to-70-year-old Syrah vines on decomposed granite soils at 400 meters altitude. Hand-harvested, fermented with native yeasts, aged 14 months in mostly neutral French oak, this is Cornas at its most authentic: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esauvage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e but not funky, structured, yet \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003efull of deep black fruit\u003c\/strong\u003e pleasure \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003enow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2021 vintage caught our attention immediately. In a year that produced concentrated, age-worthy wines across the Northern Rhône, Pichon's meticulous viticulture, including massive draft horses that he uses to plow rows that could never fit a tractor, made for a Syrah of exceptional depth and complexity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You'll Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMICROSCOPIC Production: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e400 cases total. Most of it never leaves France. We direct-imported our allocation to save you \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ereal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e money on this collectible red.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3 Generations of WORK:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e From Philippe's pioneering restoration of abandoned hillsides to Christophe's sustainable farming, to Corentin's precision winemaking, this bottle contains 60+ years of family dedication.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2021 Vintage: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis harvest delivered everything you want in cellar-worthy Northern Rhône: concentration, structure, and that magical balance between power and finesse. Hermitage intensity at Crozes-Hermitage (or even St. Joseph) prices.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Serve It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eServe at 58-62°F in large Bordeaux stems to let this wine breathe and open up.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrink now through 2035—this has the bones to age magnificently.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBegging for braised short ribs, grilled lamb with herbes de Provence, or, if you can get it, a saddle of venison.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43531842060342,"sku":"SOMM2505-PHCN21CRNS-750","price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2021DomaineChristophePichon_CornasAllegorie_MainImage-1800x1800.jpg?v=1750092739"},{"product_id":"2022-domaine-vincent-paris-cornas-granitsomm2508-dvp22cgn-750","title":"2022 Domaine Vincent Paris, Cornas Granit","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShould you ever spot Vincent Paris, or any of the greatest growers in the Northern Rhône in their tasting rooms, it’s going to be after 5PM. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy? These sweltering, windy granite hillsides, their suffering Syrah vines cruelly lashed to stakes, require immensely backbreaking labor during daylight hours. Vincent’s right there, hiking up a terrace, pruning his vines to 4 bunches per vine (when the norm is 5-7), ensuring even ripeness and great concentration. He’s one of the best growers in Cornas, naming his “Granit 30” cuvée for its unforgiving 30% slopes. You’ll search for a long time for a better buy in top-class Rhône, and the price is going nowhere but up.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You’ll Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVERY savvy buy for long-term cellaring, a fraction of the price of a comparable Côte-Rôtie or Hermitage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerfumed with notes of boysenberry, violets, freesias, and bacon fat, it had critic Stuart Pigott exclaiming, “What grace and elegance this has,” adding it’s “Really concentrated.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNaturally made: no yeast is added, and minimal sulfur is added only at bottling. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Serve it\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnjoy now with a 60-minute decant, or tuck away for another 5-10 years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eServe in Syrah \/ Rhône stems at 60℉\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePair with seared lamb rib chops marinated in wine, garlic, black pepper, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eras el hanout.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43952186851382,"sku":"SOMM2508-DVP22CGN-750","price":42.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2022DomaineVincentParis_CornasGranit_MainImage-1800x1800.jpg?v=1754669557"},{"product_id":"2022-domaine-lionnet-cornas-terre-br-l-esomm2510-lnt22crntb-750","title":"2022 Domaine Lionnet, Cornas \"Terre Brûlée\"","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHere's a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNorthern Rhône master\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e whose wines remain a well-kept secret among insiders: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDomaine Lionnet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This tiny, family-run estate in Cornas \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecrafts Syrahs of remarkable purity and tension\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—wines that echo the soulful traditions of legends like Noël Verset and Robert Michel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere’s the Cornas you read about in textbooks, then there’s the reality of the market. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere simply isn’t much “old school” Cornas bottled anymore\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and if you are fortunate enough to find it, bottles tend to either be too young to drink or overpriced. Lionnet is, despite its rabid following among sommeliers, still an outlier. When Ludovic, a highly talented winemaker originally from the Savoie, married Corinne, whose family has been growing grapes in Cornas since the 16th (!) century, a new—if tiny—wine dynasty was launched.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2022 “Terre Brûlée”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is Lionnet’s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e flagship cuvée\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a brooding, mineral-charged Syrah sourced from 40- to 100-year-old vines across multiple lieux-dits. It’s raw, elemental, and deeply expressive—aged 18 months in neutral 600L demi-muids, with no additives, no filtration, and gravity-fed movement throughout the cellar.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an unapologetically traditional Syrah—organically farmed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, hand-harvested, and built for the long haul. In a market flooded with polished, modern Rhône reds, Lionnet remains an outlier: soulful, soil-driven, and priced for those who know.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Santé!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePress Accolades:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e94 Points, Wine Advocate: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“ … seamless and complete, bursting with pure aromas of iris, violet, gentian and dark berries. Full-bodied, ample and satiny, with a layered, enveloping core of fruit … an impressive effort!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e94 Points, James Suckling:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“ … pretty radical Cornas … the finish has a terrific energy and drive.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44166242893878,"sku":"SOMM2510-LNT22CRNTB-750","price":79.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2022_DomaineLionnet_CornasTerreBrulee.png?v=1759473446"},{"product_id":"2022-domaine-lionnet-cornas-chaillotsomm2510-lnt22crnchlt-750","title":"2022 Domaine Lionnet, Cornas \"Chaillot\"","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHere's a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNorthern Rhône master\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e whose wines remain a well-kept secret among insiders: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDomaine Lionnet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This tiny, family-run estate in Cornas \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecrafts Syrahs of remarkable purity and tension\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—wines that echo the soulful traditions of legends like Noël Verset and Robert Michel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere’s the Cornas you read about in textbooks, then there’s the reality of the market. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere simply isn’t much “old school” Cornas bottled anymore\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and if you are fortunate enough to find it, bottles tend to either be too young to drink or overpriced. Lionnet is, despite its rabid following among sommeliers, still an outlier. When Ludovic, a highly talented winemaker originally from the Savoie, married Corinne, whose family has been growing grapes in Cornas since the 16th (!) century, a new—if tiny—wine dynasty was launched.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e2022 “Chaillot”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e, is\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e only the second vintage ever bottled\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e as a single-vineyard designate. Sourced from 55-year-old vines on fine-grained granite soils with cooler exposure, it’s a lifted, more refined expression of Cornas. This is the same hallowed ground that fuels cult bottlings from Clape and Allemand—whose 2022 “Chaillot” now starts at $250. Lionnet’s? Just $109.00. And \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eonly 60 bottles made it stateside.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an unapologetically traditional Syrah—organically farmed, hand-harvested, and built for the long haul. In a market flooded with polished, modern Rhône reds, Lionnet remains an outlier: soulful, soil-driven, and priced for those who know. \u003cem\u003eSanté!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePress Accolades:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e95 Points, Wine Advocate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“ … this wine has quickly earned its place as the crown jewel of Lionnet’s lineup, offering a remarkable expression of Cornas at its finest. It has a real potential to improve in the cellar.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44166371049526,"sku":"SOMM2510-LNT22CRNCHLT-750","price":109.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2022_Domaine_Lionnet_Cornas_Chaillot.png?v=1759360783"},{"product_id":"2023-franck-balthazar-cornas-cuv-e-casimirsomm2602-fbzr23crncsmr-750","title":"2023 Franck Balthazar, Cornas \"Cuvée Casimir\"","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFranck Balthazar is the man currently holding the keys to the Northern Rhône’s most historic dirt, and for the collector community, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for. While Thierry Allemand’s name carries the weight of a legend and the price tag of a small inheritance, the real energy in the region has shifted toward Balthazar’s cellar. He isn’t just \"another\" producer; as the biological and spiritual successor to the late, great Noël Verset, Franck inherited a 100-year-old lineage of Syrah that has been farmed by hand and horse for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eNamed after Franck's grandfather, the \"Cuvée Casimir\" is the collection's most approachable entry. Sourced from vines nearly 30 years old planted on granitic soils, this bottling serves as a vibrant introduction to the Balthazar style without the need for a decade of cellaring. It beautifully captures the energy of the vintage through a \"soil-to-glass\" purity that is a hallmark of the estate.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ul1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting Note:\u003c\/b\u003e A vibrant, peppery, and red-fruited Syrah that offers immediate accessibility and fresh granitic character.  \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCritical Acclaim:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"float: none;\" alt=\"Vinous Media\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/vinous_240x240.png?v=1769834033\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e94 Points, Vinous Media:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2023 Cornas Cuvée Casimir Balthazar opens with expressive notes of orange blossom, fresh violets, black cherry, red plum, stemmy nuances and fine traces of cured meat. On the medium-bodied palate, it shows lifted freshness and impressive clarity. This is a carefully built, densely packed Cornas that I admittedly underestimated when tasting it from barrel at the winery last year. Like the Chaillot Cuvée Hommage from the same vintage, it carries tremendous intensity yet never feels heavy. Simply gorgeous.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/jeb_dunnuck_240x240.png?v=1769834039\" alt=\"Jeb Dunnuck\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe classic cuvée from this singular vigneron, the 2023 Cornas Cuvée Casimir Balthazar offers beautiful, ripe, sun-kissed notes of red and black fruits, pepper, roasted meats, and graphite on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with plenty of ripe tannins and a great finish. It freshens up with air and shows more violet and black pepper, has fine tannins, and is just a classy Cornas that I'd be thrilled to drink any time over the coming two decades. Drink 2026-2046.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44877535969334,"sku":"SOMM2602-FBZR23CRNCSMR-750","price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2023FranckBalthazar_CornasCuveeCasimir.png?v=1772138029"},{"product_id":"2023-franck-balthazar-cornas-juliettesomm2602-fbzr23crnjlt-750","title":"2023 Franck Balthazar, Cornas \"Juliette\"","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFranck Balthazar is the man currently holding the keys to the Northern Rhône’s most historic dirt, and for the collector community, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for. While Thierry Allemand’s name carries the weight of a legend and the price tag of a small inheritance, the real energy in the region has shifted toward Balthazar’s cellar. He isn’t just \"another\" producer; as the biological and spiritual successor to the late, great Noël Verset, Franck inherited a 100-year-old lineage of Syrah that has been farmed by hand and horse for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe \"Juliette\" bottling is the newest addition to the Balthazar lineup, sourced from high-elevation parcels that lend the wine a distinct, crystalline lift. This cuvée represents an elegant, \"finesse-driven\" counterpoint to the more muscular traditional bottlings of the region. It showcases a side of Cornas that is simultaneously powerful, incredibly fresh, and deeply aromatic.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting Note:\u003c\/b\u003e An elegant and powerful Syrah defined by floral aromatics, a crystalline mineral lift, and profound freshness.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44877555171382,"sku":"SOMM2602-FBZR23CRNJLT-750","price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2023FranckBalthazar_CornasJuliette.png?v=1772137877"},{"product_id":"2023-franck-balthazar-cornas-chaillotsomm2602-fbzr23crncht-750","title":"2023 Franck Balthazar, Cornas \"Chaillot\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFranck Balthazar is the man currently holding the keys to the Northern Rhône’s most historic dirt, and for the collector community, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for. While Thierry Allemand’s name carries the weight of a legend and the price tag of a small inheritance, the real energy in the region has shifted toward Balthazar’s cellar. He isn’t just \"another\" producer; as the biological and spiritual successor to the late, great Noël Verset, Franck inherited a 100-year-old lineage of Syrah that has been farmed by hand and horse for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe \"Chaillot\" is the flagship and heart of the domaine, featuring 100-year-old vines acquired directly from Franck's uncle, the legendary Noël Verset. As the definitive benchmark for the \"Verset style\" in the modern era, this is a profound and structured wine. It is born from the sun-drenched natural amphitheater of decomposed granite that defines Cornas' most primal terroir.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ul1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting Note:\u003c\/b\u003e A profound, structured, and deeply mineral Syrah that serves as the ultimate expression of historic Cornas terroir.  \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCritical Acclaim:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMuch more structured and powerful, the 2023 Cornas Chaillot exhibits a quintessential Cornas style with red and black fruits, graphite, crushed stone, and violet notes on the nose. It has full-bodied richness, lots of tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It shows the sunny, sun-kissed style of the vintage and deserves 4-5 years of bottle age. It will see its 20th birthday in fine form. Drink 2030-2045.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44877571194934,"sku":"SOMM2602-FBZR23CRNCHT-750","price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2023FranckBalthazar_CornasChaillot.png?v=1772137718"},{"product_id":"2023-franck-balthazar-cornas-cuv-e-hommagesomm2602-fbzr23crnhmg-750","title":"2023 Franck Balthazar, Cornas \"Cuvée Hommage\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFranck Balthazar is the man currently holding the keys to the Northern Rhône’s most historic dirt, and for the collector community, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for. While Thierry Allemand’s name carries the weight of a legend and the price tag of a small inheritance, the real energy in the region has shifted toward Balthazar’s cellar. He isn’t just \"another\" producer; as the biological and spiritual successor to the late, great Noël Verset, Franck inherited a 100-year-old lineage of Syrah that has been farmed by hand and horse for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOften referred to as the \"Holy Grail\" of the cellar, \"Cuvée Hommage\" is a microscopic production from the very oldest vines within the Chaillot vineyard, planted in 1914. This rarity is so limited that it is seldom seen on retail shelves in the United States. It represents the pinnacle of Franck Balthazar’s work, marrying ancient vine depth with unparalleled precision.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"ul1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"li1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting Note:\u003c\/b\u003e A rare, high-toned, and complex Syrah from century-old vines, offering a singular and deeply soulful \"soil-to-glass\" experience.  \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCritical Acclaim:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e94 Points, Vinous Media: \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe complex 2023 Cornas Chaillot Cuvée Hommage glows instantly with delicate, ripe blackberry, graphite, orange peel, dried violets and stemmy accents. Mid-range but almost full in feel, round and loaded with fresh verve, the 2023 is such a gorgeous Cornas from the talented Franck Balthazar, leading the palate to the finish with such delicacy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44877581811766,"sku":"SOMM2602-FBZR23CRNHMG-750","price":299.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2023FranckBalthazar_CornasJuliette.png?v=1772137877"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/collections\/2023FranckBalthazar_CornasJuliette.png?v=1774167872","url":"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/collections\/cornas-wine-collection.oembed","provider":"SommSelect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}