2015 & 2016 Vincent Paris "Granit 60" Cornas Vieilles Vignes & Cornas Tasting Lot

“Like the Granite 30, the 2015 Cornas Granite 60 has an incredibly unevolved, barrel sample-like feel. Inky colored, with lots of blueberry and cassis fruit intermixed with searing black pepper, liquid violets and roasted herbs, it has full-bodied richness, a rounded, opulent texture and serious tannic grip. It's gorgeously textured, balanced and pure, and is going to knock your socks off with 2-3 years of bottle age, and keep for two decades. This cuvée comes from the Patou, Les Mazards, and Sauman lieux-dits (this includes some sandy sections as well as plenty of granite terroirs) and was 70% destemmed.” (01/2018)

“The 2015 Cornas Granit 60 blends three different parcels. Old vines are fermented whole cluster, accounting for 30% to 40% of the total. This is very much Cornas—dark and bloody with hints of crushed stones and plummy fruit. It’s firm and austere as Cornas can be but ripe at the same time. Give it several years in the cellar, and drink it over the next decade and a half. (JC)” (12/2017)

“Lurid ruby. Smoke- and spice-accented aromas of ripe blackberry, olive and violet are lifted by a vibrant mineral overtone. Concentrated yet lively on the palate, showing impressive focus to black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors that pick up a five-spice powder accent as the wine stretches out. Marries power and finesse with a sure hand and finishes very long and sweet, featuring lingering dark berry character and dusty tannins that sneak in late. (JR)” (02/2018)

“Opaque ruby. Potent, mineral-accented dark berry scents are complicated by floral oil and peppery spice nuances. Smooth and seamless on the palate, offering gently sweet black raspberry, blueberry and violet pastille flavors that become livelier with air. Sappy and open-knit, closing with solid thrust, silky, even tannins and strong persistence. (JR)” (06/2018)

“The 2016 Cornas Granit 30 had been blended and was in tank awaiting bottling during my visit. Medium to full-bodied, it’s already almost drinkable, showing attractive and classic notes of crushed stone, blood and cherries, reasonably supple tannins and charming blueberries on the finish. Vincent Paris has been working in Cornas for more than a decade, but still qualifies (in my opinion) as one of the young guys. His prized parcel is in La Geynale, a plot of 100-year-old vines facing due south. His 2015s are classically firm, structured wines that demand cellaring, while the 2016s are more flattering to taste yet still express their terroirs. Paris says he used to do more pigeage but has cut back in favor of gentler extraction techniques. The wines are still plenty dark and concentrated but perhaps a bit less austere as a result. (JC)” (12/2017)

“The 2016 Cornas Granit 30 is another winner from this estate. Ultra-pure notes of cassis, blackberries, leafy herbs, liquid violets and pepper all emerge from the glass. It's balanced, medium to full-bodied, and textured on the palate, with the balance and purity that this estate has become known for front and center.” (12/2018)

“Open and expressive pepper spice on the nose, with gorgeous fruit succulence and furry but rounded tannic feel. Such polish and poise! A real delight to taste. Finishes with excellent fruit intensity and fine, persistent tannin. 17.5+/20 points. (RH)” (10/2017)