2021 Equis Cornas, Northern Rhone

Full, dark red; the bouquet has a meaty manner, a roasted aspect, is rootsy, with notions of crushed nutshells from the oak, blue fruit and licorice lurking. The palate offers a flashy early, slightly skimming richness, is really upfront, with a roll of depth that intensifies as it travels. It has a good penetration of content, despite the rainy conditions, and shows some Cornas grip, mineral, just before the correctly long finish.

John Livingstone-Learmonth Drink Rhône

Steep granite terraces above the Rhône River shape the powerful personality of Cornas, and Equis is one of the most compelling modern interpretations of this historic appellation. The wine is the result of a collaboration between renowned Rhône vigneron Michel Chapoutier and Australian winemaker Ben Riggs, a partnership that combines centuries of Rhône tradition with a touch of New World precision. The vineyards cling to dramatic slopes where Syrah vines struggle in decomposed granite soils, producing intensely flavoured fruit with remarkable structure. Fermentation and maturation are handled carefully to preserve the purity of the fruit while allowing Cornas’ wild and rugged character to emerge.

The colour is deep purple with inky intensity. Aromas rise from the glass with dark blackberry, plum and black cherry layered with cracked pepper, smoked meat and hints of violets. As the wine opens, savoury notes of olive tapenade, liquorice and warm spice begin to unfold, classic markers of northern Rhône Syrah grown on granite soils. The palate is rich and powerful yet beautifully balanced with firm tannins framing flavours of black fruits, graphite, spice and earthy complexity that linger on a long, muscular finish. This is a serious Cornas built for the cellar and will evolve over fifteen to twenty years. It pairs wonderfully with slow roasted lamb shoulder, chargrilled rib eye, venison stew or game dishes that match the wine’s depth and savoury character.