Delas Frères Cornas Chante-Perdrix
Rhône, France
Vintage:2020 (Current)
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Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
“The 2020 Cornas Chante Perdrix comes from a mix of parcels and was brought up in a mix of new and used oak. It's another stunning 2020 from this estate that has so much to love. Revealing a deep plum hue as well as classic Cornas notes of red and black fruits (black cherries, fresh figs), smoked meats, leather, bay leaf, and graphite, it's rich, medium to full-bodied, has ripe tannins, and terrific overall balance. As with just about all 2020s, it has ample up-front charm and character, yet this beauty is going to evolve gracefully over the coming 15-20 years. ”
Owen Bargreen 94 Points
“The 2020 Delas ‘Chante-Perdrix’ Cornas is inky in the glass, with fantastic concentration and underlying finesse. A bit tight to get going, this delivers copious dark fruit flavors alongside violets, graphite, tar and creme de cassis notes with dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Fresh and vibrant, this is going to age gracefully. Drink 2024-2039.”
Wine Spectator 93 Points
“Dark and winey, with a well of steeped plum and smoked blackberry compote flavors layered with singed herb and vanilla-tinged cedar. The silky texture is backed up with some acid verve and cast iron mineral intensity. A modern-styled, attractive Cornas that shows good balance and tension. Drink now through 2035.”
Wine & Spirits 92 Points
“Grown from a selection of south- and southeast-facing parcels, this wine layers saline, bright red fruit into a complex weave of purple berries and power. It takes a day of air to shake its oak (between 20 to 30 percent of the barrels are new); decant it now or lay it down for at least five years.”
Vinous Media 94-95 Points
“Inky ruby. Assertive, smoke-accented aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, candied flowers, olive and exotic spices show excellent clarity and mineral lift. Sweet, pliant and lush on the palate, offering concentrated blackberry, cherry liqueur, smoky bacon and violet pastille flavors that show a peppery note on the back half. The impressively long, youthfully tannic finish shows fine detail and leaves behind repeating smoke and floral notes.”
Overview
The vineyard lies entirely on the commune of Cornas located on the right Rhône river bank. The Cornas wines have been invariably famous since the 10th century. They were served to kings, both in France and elsewhere. AOC status and improved quality have enabled the vineyard to regain its reputation.
Winemaking
All the grapes used in the "Chante Perdrix" cuvée are picked by hand, plot by plot, at the time they reach their optimal maturity. The winemaking takes place in traditional, opentopped concrete tanks, after 3 days pre-fermentary skin contact at cool temperatures. The fermentation continues under computer controlled temperatures between 82°F to 86°F. Daily cap pushing down and pumping over are carried out for about 10 days. The total vatting time can be up to 20 days.
Tasting Notes
The color is an intense garnet red. In its youth, this wine has strong blackcurrant aromas. With time, the fruit aromas gradually fade, giving the way to hints of pepper and liquorice. The palate is structured and has the strongly-defined flavors that are typical from this “terroir.”
Food Pairing
Pair this wine with mixed grills such as wild mushrooms and spicy stews made with game. This wine needs at least three years of cellaring before it can open up its complexity. If kept for longer, the wine should be decanted before serving.
Technical Information
Varietals: 100% Syrah