2020 Cornas Chaillot
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Cornas Chaillot is a distinctively rustic Cornas from Thierry Allemand, opening with leather, cured meat, graphite, black plum and stemmy elements. Full-bodied and concentrated, the rusticity from the nose continues on the palate with astringent tannins, taking away some of the wine’s refinement. This culminates with ample length on the savory aftertaste. I have a slight preference for the 2021 tasted side by side.
Critic scores
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Jeb Dunnuck
Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous
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The 2020 Cornas Chaillot comes from a mix of lieux-dits (it's mostly Chaillot) as well as some younger vines. It's an incredible wine in its own right and certainly doesn't give much in terms quality to its big brother. Awesome aromatics of crème de cassis, violets, crushed stone, and bouquet garni-like notes all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, and ultra-fine tannins. It's a touch more finesse-driven and elegant compared to the Reynard and should round into form with just 5-7 years of bottle age. This is legit awesome Cornas that will have 20-25 years of ultimate longevity.
About the producer
Allemand’s wines set the benchmark for Cornas: expressive Syrahs crafted with uncompromising traditional methods and released in tiny quantities. From the 1980s, he revived abandoned vineyards on Cornas’s steep granite slopes, building his domaine without inherited land or financial support.