2005 Thierry Allemand Cornas Chaillots, Rhone, France

Thierry Allemand’s Chaillots comes from the domaine’s younger Syrah vines, planted across the steep limestone and granite slopes of Cornas, and offers a slightly more immediate expression than the old-vine Reynard cuvée. Allemand farms organically by hand, ferments with whole clusters, and ages the wine for two years in seasoned foudres and barriques before bottling unfined and unfiltered with minimal sulfur. The concentrated 2005 shows raspberry, boysenberry, violet, licorice, iron, and dusty mineral notes across a supple yet structured palate with fresh acidity, fine tannins, and a long, savory finish.

94 points -Wine Spectator