raffaele Mastrovincenzo

Cornas is an A.O.C. in the southern part of the northern Rhone Valley, it is an enclave outside the river valley influence. A granite filled slopes mostly entire planted with vines which produce a red wine with Syrah. Cornas due the warm current air coming from the Toulaud Valley south of Saint Peray makes the syrah ripening easier than the heart of Saint Joseph appellation.  Cornas ripening at least a week ahead of the neighborhood Hermitage.  The granite soil provides a good core of minerality with a pebbly dry stony texture on the finish of the palate.  Cornas vineyards are spread around 110 hectares with three zones: Northern Zone:  with granite and limestone, the wine is always fresh with a relative altitude of around 250 meters. Tannins are more notable in the lower slopes where more clay is found.  Main vineyards are Les Arlettes, Les Eygas, Jouvet not present on the map above.  Central...