Eric & Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes

Very concentrated, with a large core of crushed plum, currant paste and sweet licorice notes followed by black tea, dark olive and tobacco notes. The long, grip-filled finish pulls everything together. Needs a little time to stretch out. Best from 2009 through 2020.

The 2006 Cornas Empreintes shares the same dense ruby/purple hue in addition to aromas of crushed rocks, spring flowers, pepper, and sweet red and black fruits. The tannic finish suggests it will benefit from sometime in bottle.

100% Syrah from the tiny appellation of Cornas, situated in the notoriously steep vineyards of the northern Rhône. With a few minutes of airing, there is a cherry explosion on the nose and palate of this dark ruby red. Medium-full body with bursts of tart black cherry, earth (“Cornas” means “scorched earth in Celtic), licorice, pepper, cinnamon spice and plum flavors. Complexity abounds in this chewy textured Syrah with a cleansing beam of acidity keeping it fresh and balanced. Polished and delicious!