Cornaline 2020, IGP Alpilles Dominique Hauvette | Provence

Cornaline 2020 | Dominique Hauvette

Cornaline holds a unique place in Dominique Hauvette’s lineup. It is neither his most exclusive cuvée nor the one that receives the most media attention. And yet, it is often the one that surprises the most. In the heart of the Alpilles, this red cuvée takes its name from the very geology of the region: carnelian, a variety of quartz with a vermilion hue, found in the soils of Provence where these vines are planted. A discreet yet precise tribute. The signature of a winemaker who leaves nothing to chance.

Terroir and Grape Varieties

The vines, about fifty years old, are rooted in rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor clay-limestone soil typical of the Alpilles. This type of terroir challenges the vines, naturally limits yields, and concentrates the flavor in the berries. The 2020 vintage blend consists of 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Grenache brings roundness and fruit, Syrah adds a spicy structure, and Cabernet Sauvignon contributes firm tannins and aging potential. These three grape varieties blend harmoniously here, with none dominating the others.

Viticulture and Winemaking

The wine estate is certifiedbiodynamic, a practice that informs every decision, from pruning to bottling. The grapes are harvested by hand and completely destemmed. Fermentation begins spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts, without any external additions. The fermentation period lasts 15 days. Ageing, meanwhile, extends over 24 months: first 12 months on fine lees in truncated-cone tanks, then 12 months in century-old vats. This time in large vessels preserves the wine’s fruit and energy without allowing the wood to overpower it. The result is a red wine that is often found on the market having already spent several years in the bottle.

Cornaline 2020 | Dominique Hauvette: the sommelier’s opinion

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin

Dominique Hauvette was named Best Winemaker of 2020 by the Revue des Vins de France. This recognition speaks volumes about the wine estate’s consistency. The Cornaline is its most approachable expression, but don’t be fooled. It is a profoundly Mediterranean wine, whose balance between body, tannins, and acidity is stunning for the appellation. It brings to mind the great reds of the Alpilles, the seriousness of Domaine de Trévallon, and that rare ability to combine sun-kissed generosity with mineral tension. It is expected to reach its peak drinking period between 2028 and 2035: it still has a way to go, and that is precisely what makes it so exciting. Decanting for 45 to 60 minutes at 17°C will allow it to open up fully.

The Nose

The nose opens with a bouquet of beautiful aromatic nobility. The garrigue, cedar, and hints of undergrowth form a distinct empyreumatic base, characteristic of wines from this terroir. An intense fruitiness then unfolds, carried by notes of ripe black fruits and particularly smooth hints of licorice. The minerality of the clay-limestone soil emerges in the background, discreet yet persistent.

On the palate

On the palate, the attack is concentrated, supported by a juicy and generous texture. The tannins, supple and well-integrated, envelop the palate without ever becoming harsh. Notes of black fruit and garrigue linger on the palate with beautiful consistency. The finish is long and balanced, with a tension that keeps the whole experience lively. A velvety wine, yet never heavy.

The Alpilles: Everything You Need to Know About This Appellation

The Alpilles PGI covers a small area in the heart of Provence, between the limestone ranges of the Alpilles and the Crau plain. The soils here are predominantly clay-limestone and stony, often poor, and exposed to intense sunshine tempered by the mistral wind. These conditions produce red wines that are both powerful and structured, with a characteristic minerality rarely found elsewhere in Provence. Grenache, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon find a particularly favorable environment for expression here.

Dominique Hauvette ’s 2020 La Cornaline embodies this identity perfectly. It bears the hallmarks of the terroir, the generosity of the 2020 vintage, and the rigor of a wine estate that has never sacrificed balance for power. Within the IGP Alpilles region, it stands as a benchmark.