Domaine Alain Voge "Les Vieilles Vignes" Cornas, Rhône, France, 2019

Overview of the Wine
Since its inception, several generations ago, Domaine Alain Voge has always been a family domain located in Cornas. In 1958, Alain Voge joined his father to work in the small typical farm. He decided to specialize in wine. At the time, it was an audacious decision: despite their history, the CORNAS and SAINT PERAY appellations were forgotten sleeping beauties.

Very quickly, Alain overthrew the winery's habits. He extended his vineyards in places which had remained uncultivated over the last 30 years and developed the sales of his bottled wines. Supported by his wife Eliane, he visited the best national and regional restaurants to make his wines known. Due to their quality and to Alain Voge’s creative approach, the domain’s reputation rapidly increased.

Yesterday, as today and tomorrow, the philosophy of Domaine Alain Voge is to practice a hand made viticulture on the slopes of the Rhône right bank, dedicated to Syrah and Marsanne. The wines are the expression of their terroir, and as they say, "for the pleasure of lovers, all over the world."

Organic and Biodynamic.

Grape / Blend
Syrah

Origin
Rhône, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
For the third year in a row, it was a hot and dry season, but less early than the two before. The hydric deficit and heats that blocked the maturities on some sensitive plots, have been compensated by two beautiful rains at the end of the season. Light powdery mildew pressure on all the vineyard. It should be noted that the historical terroir of Saint-Péray (old Marsanne vines on clay- limestone soils) shows excellent capabilities in heatwave conditions. The quality of harvest was very good at the end, normal quantities, and very beautiful juices after the winemaking.

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes is similarly inky colored and has a classic nose of plums, Asian spices, sandalwood, and iron. Medium to full-bodied, with good acidity and ripe tannins, it doesn't have the sheer weight, richness, or girth of the Vieilles Fontaines, yet it's certainly a more classic Cornas that will be approachable with just 3-4 years of bottle age yet evolve for twenty years if you're so inclined.

96 Points - Wine Spectator
This is packed with succulent cherry, plum paste and blackberry fruit flavors that show hints of mulled spice, dried anise, singed tobacco and sweet tapenade as they move through. A mouthwatering mineral edge extends the lengthy finish. Cellar patiently, then serve with game for the full seduction.

93 Points - Decanter

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Now, this is more like it. A big step up from the disjointed Les Chailles, the 2019 Cornas Vieilles Vignes is a classic rendering of Cornas, with hints of crushed stone, mint, blueberries and red berries on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated enough, yet it's not overbearing or heavy; it’s just deliciously drinkable and will drink well for more than a decade. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes. Despite the weather challenges of 2021, Managing Director Lionel Fraisse had a smile on his face when I rang the bell outside the small tasting room in the village of Cornas. I thought I caught a glimpse of the widow Voge behind the curtains to my right, where she has continued to live since Alain's passing in 2020. There will be no Saint-Péray Ongrie from 2021, nor sparkling Saint-Péray from this year, said Fraisse, as those vineyards were devastated by frost and mildew. Additionally, Fraisse said no decision had yet been taken regarding separate bottling of a 2020 Chapelle Saint Pierre and Vieilles Fontaines. Thankfully, the 2019 versions here are solid, with the 2019 Vieilles Fontaines (still in barrel at the time of my visit) looking particularly impressive. We took advantage of my visit to check in on some 2011 and 2001 wines, so owners of those will find updated reviews in this report. This organically farmed domaine remains a fine source for Cornas and Saint-Péray.

Product size: 750ml