Domaine Courbis, Cornas Champelrose, Rhône, France, 2020

Overview of the Wine
The origins of the Courbis family estate date back to the 16th century. More recently, the brothers Dominique and Laurent Courbis have succeeded their father, Maurice, who was the mayor of Chateaubourg, their hometown.

All the grapes are harvested by hand and yields are kept to an average of 30 hl/ha. The fruit is 100% destemmed and the maceration period for the Syrahs lasts between two and three weeks. The wines mature in oak casks which are new or up to three years old. The red wines are fined with egg whites but not filtered and are bottled between two and three years of the harvest.

The wines of the Courbis estate are some of the most compelling examples of St. Joseph and Cornas being made today. The Courbis brothers have combined their long family experience with a modern style and this has earned them international recognition. Robert Parker sums it up in his book on Rhone wines: “Courbis is a name to watch in the Northern Rhone.” Courbis wines regularly receive rave reviews in Wine Spectator, International Wine Cellar, The Wine Advocate and Revue du Vin de France.

Grapes/Blend
Syrah

Origin
Rhône, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The wine has generous, accessible, pure fruit and shows the full character of its appellation in the attractive Courbis house style.

95 Points - Vinous
Opaque ruby. Mineral-accented blackberry, cherry, smoked meat and olive aromas show fine detail and a spicy black pepper flourish. Energetic cherry and red and dark berry flavors are complemented by a candied violet accent; an exotic pit fruit nuance emerges with air. Delivers a suave blend of depth as well as energy, and finishes with smoky mineral cut, discreet tannins and superb, floral-driven persistence.

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From old vines at the bottom of the slope, Courbis's 2020 Cornas Champelrose sees no new oak in its élevage. Bursting with blackberries and licorice, it's a full-bodied, dense, extracted and richly tannic wine, with plenty of the appellation's meaty, tarry notes and a long, velvety finish.

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The 2020 Cornas Champelrose is a more charming, up-front effort that still brings plenty of Cornas character. Ripe red and black fruits, spice, cured meats, and peppery herbs define the bouquet, and this meaty, medium to full-bodied, concentrated effort has plenty of accessibility today, yet will continue evolving gracefully over the coming 10-15 years.

Product size: 750ml