2019 Thierry Allemand, Cornas, Reynard 12x75cl

Vinous 98

Glass-staining violet. Heady, mineral-accented black and blue fruits, candied licorice, potpourri, exotic spices and olive scents on the intensely perfumed nose. Pliant, sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering deeply concentrated blackberry, cassis, fruitcake, smoky bacon and floral pastille flavors that are underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Shows superb depth as well as liveliness and finishes wonderfully long and minerally, with resonating florality and polished tannins adding shape and a firming grip. [Josh Raynolds, 22/12/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2029-2039

JancisRobinson.com 18.5

100% Syrah, the Reynard, confusingly, comes from the Chaillot parcel but is from vines over 40 years old (younger-vine fruit goes into the Chaillot cuvee). Cask samples tasted at the domaine. Sample 1 Stunning dense purple core. Intense reductive wild and smoky nose with roasted game. Such intensity on the palate with bacon, violets and saline mineral notes. Very firm tannins, very tight structure and stunning purity. Sample 2 Vivid, vibrant, pure nose with blackcurrant and graphite mineral notes. Ripe and sweet fruit with finely polished tannins that support the vibrant acidity that runs throughout the spine of this wine. There’s a suggestion of peppery, clove and eucalypt spice underneath just waiting to emerge with time. Impressive. (AC) [16/10/2020]

Anticipated maturity: 2027-2040