Big and rich but with a throwback feel to the gutsy bramble tobacco and mulled plum flavors all pushed by additional dark olive and roasted fig notes. Good cut on the finish offsets the richness nicely. Best from 2012 through 2019. 2180 cases made. -JM

The 2009 Cornas Champelrose which I loved last year has closed down somewhat but still reveals extraordinary minerality a dense purple color and more new oak than I remember from barrel. It is clearly the most modern-styled wine from Courbis with huge power richness and intensity. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades.It is often said that Cornas is made for those with 19th century palates but Courbis has tamed the uncivilized ruggedness and wilder aspects of Cornas resulting in huge wines but undeniably Cornas. 91+