2003 Cornas Champelrose
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Tasting notes
The opaque purple-colored 2003 Cornas Champelrose possesses enormous concentration and tannin, but it appears to be singing louder than Les Eygats with its broad, expansive bouquet and heady flavors of creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, plums, acacia flowers, smoke, and toasty new oak. The wine reveals sweet persistence on the palate (nearly a minute) as well as high but silky tannin. This phenomenal Cornas can be consumed in 1-3 years, or cellared for 12-15. Importer: Russell Herman, Berkeley Heights, NJ; tel. (908) 771-9082
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Deep red. The nose offers an intriguing mix of fresh and jammy fruit, with a strong note of violet. Thick and velvety on entry, but gains freshness and lift with aeration, taking on a fresh red berry quality. Finishes with weight and breadth, the tannins solid but not dry.
Deep ruby. High-pitched aromas of blackberry, licorice, violet, menthol and spicy oak. At once superripe and fresh, with youthfully tight flavors of bitter chocolate, licorice, mint and smoky oak. The 50% new oak component seems to contribute to the impression of fat. Finishes with youthfully firm tannins that will need four to six years to come into harmony with the wine's fruit.