Cornas Gore, Matthieu Barret - Domaine du Coulet 2012

Lastly, and released only in magnum, the 2012 Cornas Gore is off the charts, and one of the top-rated Cornas in this report. A single-vineyard release that comes from the granite soils known as gore, its inky purple/black color is followed by an extraordinary bouquet of cassis, beef blood, powdered rock and leather. Full-bodied, ripe, layered and silky, with fabulous integration, purity and length, it shows the vintage's supple, fruit-driven style, yet has ample concentration and depth. Give this beauty another 3-4 years and drink it through 2032.

Quite closed on the nose. Rocky, graphite note leads before the fragrance of the fruit starts to emerge. A little hint of oak sweetness, then dry and savoury and restrained on the palate but all in harmony and with juicy fruit filling the middle of the structure. Elegant. (JH)