2019 Cornas Vieilles Vignes

Syrah vines that are 80 to more than 100 years old. 50% whole bunch. Aged for a full 24 months in new and one-year-old barrels. Cask sample. Deep purplish crimson. Much more refreshing than the regular Cornas bottling. Pure, fully ripe Syrah. No black-pepper notes – more like essence of heat – with a very dry and drying finish. Edgy and possibly with a slight lack of fruit weight on the mid palate. Maybe this is too far at the other end of the spectrum from the overripe regular Cornas? (JR)