The 2020 Courbis Cornas Champelrose is a Syrah from the Northern Rhone region of France, specifically the Cornas appellation. This red wine, produced by Courbis, features a traditional cork closure and has an alcohol content of 14.0%.
The wine has garnered high praise from several esteemed reviewers. Jeb Dunnuck described it as "a more charming, up-front effort that still brings plenty of Cornas character" (jebdunnuck.com, 12/15/2022). He noted its bouquet of ripe red and black fruits, spice, cured meats, and peppery herbs, highlighting its meaty and concentrated nature. Dunnuck awarded it a score of 93 points and mentioned that while it is accessible now, it will continue to evolve gracefully over the next 10-15 years.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also provided a favorable review, scoring the wine between 91 and 94 points (1/21/2022). The review emphasized that the 2020 Cornas Champelrose comes from old vines at the bottom of the slope and sees no new oak during its élevage. The wine bursts with flavors of blackberries and licorice and is described as full-bodied, dense, and richly tannic. The review also pointed out the wine's meaty, tarry notes and long, velvety finish.
Vinous offered an excellent review, scoring the wine 95 points (12/22/2022). Josh Raynolds described the wine as having an opaque ruby color with mineral-accented blackberry, cherry, smoked meat, and olive aromas. The flavors include energetic cherry, red and dark berries, complemented by a candied violet accent. Raynolds praised the wine for its depth, energy, and superb, floral-driven persistence, making it a standout in its category.
Finally, Wine Spectator gave the 2020 Courbis Cornas Champelrose a score of 92 points (8/31/2023). The review highlighted its fresh, pure, and vibrant style, with flavors of just-ripe plum and smoked cherry, bolstered by snappy, pepper-edged acidity and beautiful violet notes. The wine was described as harmonious, inviting, and approachable, with a recommendation to drink now through 2035.
Overall, the 2020 Courbis Cornas Champelrose is a well-regarded Syrah that showcases the traditional characteristics of the Cornas appellation. Its combination of rich fruit flavors, meaty undertones, and balanced acidity has earned it high scores and praise from multiple reviewers.