Vikas Sharma

This is the second time that I’m writing about a wine that we paired with my wife’s infamous Spinach and Cheese Pie.

The last time it was with a 2001 Rioja from Montecillo.

This time, we picked out something that I thought would be a little more lush.

I have an idea what a wine from Cornas would taste like … and I’m usually not wrong. I find there to be some similarities between Cornas and its Southern Rhone counterparts (Vacqueyras, Gigondas, and the infamous Châteauneuf-du-Pape). I usually think of a structured wine with a medium-to-full-body, and notes of dark fruit and elements of oak aging.

All of which I found true of this wine – but more on the wine after we learn a bit about this vintner.

Domaine Courbis has been around for c. 500 years and has continued to manifest their established methods of winemaking through the brothers Laurent and Dominique.

Domaine Courbis only has eight hectares (about 20 acres) in Cornas, so the amount that they produce in Cornas is about 20,000 bottles, of which, only 5,000 bottles of the Les Eygats is produced; hence, the price point.

Cornas is situated on the right bank of the Rhône, and is designated as “Grand Terroir,” with granitic sand and an exceptional micro climate.

25% of the juice is matured in new barrels, 20% in one-year old barrels, and 55% in two-year old barrels. Bottling occurs 16 months after the wine has matured in barrel.

On with the show:

Wine: Domaine Courbis – Les Eygats

Region/Appellation: Cornas

Grape(s): Syrah

Vintage: 2018

Style: Red

Price: $91

The Visual: Oily viscosity in the glass – medium + intensity in colour, which was ruby with a cherry rim.

The Aroma: Medium intensity in aroma, with a flattering impression. The nose contained notes of Black Fruit (Blackberries and Black Cherry), some Vegetable notes (not 100% sure which ones, but it was earthy, and it came out in the flavour), as well notes of Pepper, Spice, and Dried Fruits.

The Flavour: Medium-plus in in intensity, and medium-to-full-bodied, with fleshy/grippy-plus tannins, and flavours of Dark Berries, Plum, and Mushroom.

Alcohol: Medium-plus at 14.5%.

Balance: The flavours were well-balanced with a medium-plus finish.

Other notes: I very much enjoyed this wine. It was super-plush, smooth, with a nice, round mouthfeel. It’s a rather young wine at less than five years old, but comes across as mature. We could have cellared this wine for another 10 years.

Food pairing: I mentioned our food pairing above, however, I thought that this wine would pair well with a Margherita pie or a simple pasta with red sauce (homemade, of course).

Final Comments: Nothing else to add. Great wine with a price point that’s a bit high, but considering the limited production, it’s a real treat.

Cheers – Salud – Salute – Živeli – Prost – Na Zdrowie – Skål – Santé