2007 Thierry Allemand Cornas Chaillots, Rhone, France

Thierry Allemand’s Chaillots is produced from the younger Syrah vines of the domaine, planted across steep limestone and granite terraces in Cornas, and typically shows more immediate charm and accessibility than the old-vine Reynard bottling. Allemand farms organically, works the vineyards entirely 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 2007 is especially elegant, with blackberry, cracked pepper, violet, graphite, tobacco, and savory spice carried by silky tannins, bright acidity, and a long, pure finish.

92 points -Vinous
92 points -Wine Spectator