Cornas Les Vieilles Fontaines 2023 Alain Voge | Rhône

Domaine Alain Voge 's Cornas Les Vieilles Fontaines is an exceptional cuvée, produced only from the finest vintages. The estate's oldest Syrah grapes, planted on a 0.9-hectare plot in the La Fontaine locality, plunge their octogenarian roots into the hard granitic soils to extract their quintessence. Optimum exposure ensures perfect ripening of the grapes, which the wine estate nurtures using organic and biodynamic viticulture to respect the natural balance. Hand-harvesting in several selections enables us to select the finest bunches, 70% of which are then destemmed before fermentation in stainless steel vats using indigenous yeasts. Ageing then lasts 24 months, allowing the wine to delicately mature in contact with mostly old barrels (maximum 20% new wood).

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : The structure and complexity of this Cornas Les Vieilles Fontaines from Domaine Alain Voge are astounding. Its depth of expression and balance bring an overwhelming evolution in the glass, as well as remarkable ageing potential. If the Rhône Valley counted Grands Crus, this one would be a proud representative!

The nose is powerful and complex, with a constant evolution between ripe black berries, violet floral notes, a spicy, truffled framework, and a mineral, graphite imprint. This cuvée has a very animal, sanguine side, and its ardor and sap are expected to develop after several years' cellaring.

On the palate, the volume of the generous material coats the palate with ripe flavors of black fruit and noble spices. Velvety tannins structure the profile with a firmness that accentuates the sensation of depth. The mineral freshness is intense, propelled by perfectly-adjusted acidity that gives the aromas striking length. To be followed for at least two decades!