2016 Cornas Patou
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Tasting notes
Deep brilliant violet. Lively blackberry, cherry, olive and floral scents are accented by spice and mineral topnotes. Juicy black and blue fruit and spicecake flavors show fine detail and vivacity thanks to a spine of smoky minerality. Finishes long and smooth, with dark berry and salty olive qualities, sneaky tannins and bright, mineral-driven persistence.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The inky colored 2016 Cornas Patou is incredibly floral and perfumed, with lots of violets, peach pit and green herbs characteristics balanced by ample black and blue fruits. Rich, textured and polished, with ultra-fine tannin, it's a singular beauty to drink over the coming decade or more. This cuvée is 100% Syrah that saw 50% stems and will spend 18 months in oak. Run by Nicolas Serrette, this tiny family-run estate pulls strictly from the Patou lieu-dit in the southern part of Cornas. While I wasn’t able to taste it for this report, they also make a tiny production Cornas Henri which comes from an old vine selection.
Confected black fruit, strong tannic fur on the palate. Quite straightforward flavour profile at present, but there is enough concentration to the fruit for longevity and complexity in future. (RH)