Delas Cornas Chante Pedrix 2019

From south-facing vineyards on slate soil, the Delas Cornas Chante Pedrix is made from several particularly favoured parcels of old vines. The Syrah grapes that make up the wine are macerated in open concrete vats for three days before being pressed and fermented in steel at 28 to 30 degrees for 20 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wine spends another 14 months in oak barrels. It smells of cassis, liquorice and pepper. The palate is dominated by cassis, blackberries and black cherries and shows a lush fruit with fine, perfectly integrated tannins.

Josh Raynolds vinous 94 Opaque magenta. Ripe blackcurrant and cherry aromas are complemented by suggestions of exotic spices, olive, pipe tabacco and pungent flowers. Youthfully chewy, appealingly sweet black and blue fruit flavors show serious depth and become spicier with air. A smoky mineral element adds lift, and building tannins frame an impressively long, broad finish that leaves allspice and mocha notes behind.