2018 Alain Voge 'Les Chailles', Cornas, Northern Rhone

Alain Voge is one of the famous names in Cornas. The domaine became famous when Alain joined his father's smallholding in the late 1950's moving it from polyculture to focusing exclusively on wine. He became the Cornas appelation's greatest advocate, championing its reputation internationally as well as at home. During the 50 years spent at the domaine, Alain worked meticulously: replanting abandoned slopes, regenerating old-vine Syrah and using traditional winemaking techniques to produce increasingly noteworthy wines. Following Alain's retirement, Alberic Mazoyer (who worked for Chapoutier) took over as co-owner and winemaker, moving the domaine to biodynamic practices.  Why do we like it? The domaine is tiny with no more than 12 hectares, including eight in Cornas and four in St-Peray. Teh wines are vinified traditionally, with the grapes largely de-stemmed and oak influence kept to a minimum in the reds. Les Chailles is a great wine displaying roasted herbs such as thyme, lavender and fresh raspberry and blackberry on the nose. It possesses a fantastic aromatic freshness and definition while being dense and ripe. Full of character and detailed, this is such a fine wine.   Grape            Syrah Country        France                                              Region          Northern Rhone Valley      Vintage         2018