Cornas 2023
AOP, Maison Stéphan / Négoce Fan-Fan, 750 ml
Pure Rhône power
- Authentic Cornas – pure energy, ideal for Syrah fans.
- Complex aroma of dark berries, spicy notes; juicy on the palate, with distinctive pepperiness and balanced tannins.
- Perfect with braised lamb, truffle risotto or simply in front of a crackling fire.
Description
An authentic Cornas that embodies Jean-Michel Stéphan's philosophy: pure energy and naturalness. Ideal for Syrah fans of unadulterated Rhône wines. Complex and expressive aroma of dark berries, accompanied by cool smoke and dark spicy accents such as clove, white pepper and juniper. Juicy yet pronounced tannins. Tastes of dark fruit and distinctive pepperiness. Tight, elegant and authentic. Perfect with braised lamb with herbs and olives, truffle risotto or simply an evening in front of a crackling fire.
Attributes
| Grape variety: | Syrah |
| Producer: | Maison Stéphan |
| Origin: | France / Rhône / Cornas |
| Label: | Certified organic or biodynamic wine |
| Ripening potential: | 2 to 8 years |
| Drinking temperature: | 16 to 18 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Moroccan specialities, Rabbit ragout with olives, Wild specialities, Risotto with ceps, Saddle of lamb fillet with herb jus |
| Volume: | 12.5 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
Maison Stéphan
Jean-Michel Stéphan has vinified more than 30 vintages of Côte-Rôtie and is one of the true masters of natural winemaking (vins naturels) in the northern Rhône region. His wines have a vibrant purity that makes them unmistakable, characterised by a balance of energy and transcendence that stems from his vision of making impeccable wines without any additives.
Syrah
A hint of pepper
The legend stubbornly persists that the Syrah variety came from the Persian city of Shiraz. Yet, researchers have shown that it is a natural crossing of two old French varieties: the red Dureza from the Rhône Valley and the white Mondeuse blanche from Savoy. Wines from Syrah are gentle and concentrated. They smell of dark berries, violets and liquorice, and amaze with a piquant touch of white pepper. As varietal wines, they are found on the northern Rhone, as in the Hermitage or Côte Rôtie appellations, as well as in Swiss Valais. In the southern Rhône Valley, Syrah is often wedded with Grenache and Mourvèdre. In 1832, a Frenchman brought the variety to Australia, where it became the emblem of the national wine industry. There, the weightiest versions develop with typical notes of tar and chocolate.
Rhône
Rhône: northern power, southern charm
The Rhône’s source is in Valais, and it flows into the Mediterranean 800 kilometres to the south. In the last 200 kilometres of its course, it is lined with vines which yield a range of red crus that are among the most prestigious wines in the world – for example, on the spectacular cliffs of the Hermitage Mountains, or in the gravelly terraces of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The river valley, however, is also a rich source of characterful white wines and affordable, high-quality, everyday red wines.
France
France – Philosophy in a bottle
According to French philosophy, wine should be an expression of the soil and climate. They use the word “terroir” to describe this. Terroir makes every wine different, and many especially good. French wine is regarded worldwide as an expression of cultural perfection. The French believe that humans are responsible for the quality of the berries, the vine variety for their character, and nature for the quantity. This philosophy can be expressed succinctly as: “the truth is the vineyard, not the man.”
