2000 Noël Verset Cornas
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Tasting notes
The 2000 Cornas is and an expressive and seductively perfumed wine that displays intense red fruit preserve, potpourri and Indian spice scents and a hint of botanical herbs. Sweet and seamless in texture, it possesses spicy raspberry and floral pastille flavors that put on weight with air. Surprisingly dense for the vintage, which was never known for power and depth, it finishes with surprising thrust, silky tannins and lingering smokiness. This is in no danger of heading toward decrepitude.
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Robert Parker
Neal Martin
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One of my favorite growers, the diminutive Verset, who must be close to 90 years of age, has had an erratic track record over the last few years, (which does nothing to diminish the portfolio of great wines he produced in the seventies and eighties), but the 2000 is a successful effort. Its deep purple color is accompanied by aromas of blackberry liqueur, figs, plums, melted licorice, and scorched earth. Soft and savory, it is a sexy Cornas to enjoy over the next 8-10 years. Bravo! Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524
At 25 years old, the 2000 Cornas is intense on the nose with dark berry fruit, pressed iris flower, tantalising glimpses of star anise and a discrete menthol scent that becomes more pronounced after a second pour. The delineation is wonderful. The palate is medium-bodied with a core of sorbet-fresh red fruit, hints of blood orange and raspberry, with a light undercurrent of garrigue towards the feisty finish. Whilst it does not rank amongst Verset’s greatest achievements—such as the 1991 or 1998—the 2000 is a refined Cornas at its peak. Based on this showing, it will clearly give another 15 years of drinking pleasure.