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Domaine Vendome, Cornas, Baryte, 2021

The Roudier family  at vendome now farm just under a hectare of Cornas, passed on to them by the retiring Jean-Marie Teysseire. The Syrah vines are approximately 80 years old in the high Chaban sector, on granitic soils marked by baryte, quartz-like inclusions, hence the name. 2021 was a difficult vintage in the northern Rhone - but clearly Cornas was less affected by the rain, which presumably ran off the steep slopes.  The grapes were wholly destemmed before fermentation; and the wine was given four weeks maceration and aged only in stainless steel.

This shows generous red fruit, but underpinned by the distinctive savouriness of classic Cornas. Lovely redcurrant crunch. Attractive fat - typical of old vine fruit, which was cropped at 25hl.per hectare. Very long indeed. Now-2029