Domaine Vincent Paris
2011 "Granit 60 Vieilles Vignes" Cornas

 "The 2011 Cornas Granite 60 Vieilles Vignes offers an explosive nose of spring flowers, blackberries, blueberry liqueur, camphor and charcoal. It is a full-bodied, intensely concentrated wine that represents the essence of Cornas. The tannins are sweet, the acidity present but low and the wine is already accessible. It is capable of lasting 10-15 years. Vincent Paris is a child of Cornas and his biodynamically run estate now encompasses around 17-18 acres, from which he fashions three remarkable cuvees, the Granite 30, Granite 60 Vieilles Vignes and an offering from the well-known parcel of La Geynale. Paris has enjoyed three consecutive remarkable vintages (as have a number of the finest Cornas producers), 2009, 2010 and 2011... The Granite 60 comes from three separate parcels of a lieu-dit called Sauman, which is opposite of another famous lieu-dit called Reynard. As Paris says, this is an area that gives more body as well as freshness than other terroirs in Cornas. Vines planted in these three parcels are 20, 60 and 100 years of age.   (12/ 2012)"

95-97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Glass-staining ruby. Pungent, spice-accented aromas of red fruit compote, cherry pit and fresh flowers. Juicy and sharply focused, offering gently sweet black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors and a lashing of peppery spices. Closes with gentle grip and very good length, betraying only a hint of tannins.   (4/ 2013)"

90-92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar