We're giddy over Dumien-Serrete's "Patou," an old-vine Cornas we featured last year to tremendous fanfare. Now with an extra year in bottle, this 70–100-year-old vine Syrah is over-the-top delicious—intoxicating in its brooding depth and chiseled minerality. Rhône fanatics, whether Old World or New World, will find it irresistible.

The Serrette's 1.5-hectare parcel on steep granitic slopes takes micro-production to the extreme. Put this in Hermitage or Côte-Rôtie, and you'd see triple-digit pricing. Despite its modest size, this postage stamp of a vineyard delivers a granitic, smoky splendor and indulgent black currant and forest floor flavors—classic Cornas. Most beguiling are the floral essences that set Dumien-Serrette apart. That bouquet—anise and purple rose—is so distinct that little "Patou" has become an indisputable sensation at our Napa office.

While collectors chase Allemand Cornas Reynard, Clape Cornas, Chave Hermitage, and Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Las at rising prices, Serrette "Patou" is priced to make a six-pack (or case) an easy win. Approachable now with a two-hour decant or stunning a decade from now.

It's astonishingly perfumed for such a dense and powerful wine—those ancient vines wrestle miraculously floral notes from the granite. On the palate? A freight train of currant and blackberry jam, tinged with crushed pine needles. Grilled meat, bitter cacao, kirsch, candied violet, and wild herbs swirl into a crescendo of savory versus sweet.

Press: 97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck:

“ … the 2022 Cornas Patou is rocking stuff. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as powerful aromatics of ripe red plums, black cherries, roasted garrigue, violets, and pepper, it has full-bodied richness, a pure, layered mouthfeel, the firmer, focusing tannins of the vintage, and one hell of a great finish. This sensational Cornas is going to benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and should have a solid two decades of overall longevity. Drink 2026-2046.”