2020 Cornas Patou
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Tasting notes
Glass-staining violet. Deeply pitched, mineral-accented aromas of blackberry, cherry, game and violet are complemented by a suggestion of exotic spices. Youthfully chewy and appealingly sweet, offering intense black and blue fruit, floral pastille, smoky bacon and spicecake flavors, with a hint of salty olive. Finishes sweet, smoky and long, displaying finely etched mineral and floral pastille notes and steadily building tannins.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Old school goodness all the way, the 2020 Cornas Patou offers up an awesome nose of bloody blue fruits, leather, iron, and violets. This carries to a full-bodied, structured, tannic, yet pure barrel sample that's going benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and keep for two decades. This cuvée comes from 80-year-old vines and is brought up all in older barrels. If you love classic Cornas, give this a whirl.
Nicolas Serrette has turned out a mint-edged, slightly red-fruited 2020 Cornas Patou, with some darker hints of Ribena. From 80-year-old vines and aged in mainly older barrels, it's full-bodied and supple on the mid-palate, then finishes fresh and long, with an impressive complement of mouth-starching tannins. I found it decidedly less impressive than the 2019, but it could surprise.
100% Syrah. Cask sample. Deep colour to rim. Big and bold on the nose with clear cassis notes. Cassis again on the palate which is rich and full. Some oak in there which needs integrating. Slightly dry and chewy on the finish but potential. (JL)