Alain Voge, Cornas, Les Chailles 2016

This smells liked the baked slopes of Cornas; sun-warmed pine needles and dusty herbs, with a dab of tarry black fruit within. It has that raw, blood and iron Cornas character, backed by some slightly earthy, resinous scents. Full-bodied, it has a lovely freshness on the palate. It's mineral and tannic, bristling and writhing, with significant but not oversized savoury tannins on the finish. A good pick this year, especially as it will be good in its youth but also age well.

Leading off the Cornas releases, the 2016 Cornas Les Chailles is a wine that always delivers pleasure. It offers an exotic bouquet of violets, black and blue fruits, gamey meats, incense, and bouquet garni. It's medium to full-bodied, rich, beautifully textured, and layered, with the charm to drink today and the balance and class to keep for a decade or more. It's a rich, powerful Cornas from 2016.

Deep magenta. Fresh black and blue fruits, dark chocolate, violet and a hint of black pepper on the expansive nose. Sappy, sweet and focused on the palate, showing sharp delineation and lift to spice-laced blackberry, cassis, floral pastille and bitter chocolate flavors. Pliant and seamless in texture, showing impressive clarity and spicy thrust on the gently tannic finish, which echoes the spice and floral notes. Drinking window: 2023 - 2030.

A blend of young vine fruit, the 2016 Cornas les Chailles is a full-bodied, supple wine that offers immediate gratification. Notes of roasted meat and ripe plums come together in an open-knit, accessible format. Drink it over the next 6-7 years.