2013 Domaine Vincent Paris, Cornas “Granit 30” Northern Rhone, France -photo grapelive

2013 Domaine Vincent Paris, Cornas “Granit 30” Northern Rhone, France.
Vincent Paris, a native of Cornas, started his label in 1997 and since then has become a rising star in the Northern Rhone and his vines (some of which are 100 years old) came from his grandfather, and also rents vines from his uncle, the legendary Cornas vigneron Robert Michel with top cru parcels in great terroir. The biodynamically farmed vines, which are located ialong the southeast facing Cornas slope make for powerful and complex wines and Paris is making some amazing offerings that include his Granit 30, like this one, and Granit 60, that take their names from the slope and grade in the vineyards and average vine age(s), respectively.

2013 is a vintage that needed a few extra years to show its best, and this one especially has gained in all areas with that time, it fills the palate with black fruits, spice, earth and light floral tones with boysenberry, blueberry, damson plum, kirsch and currants along with minty herbs, camphor/graphite, anise, crushed violets, loam and stones, adding hints of cedar and game with air. This is a sturdy effort, slightly rustic in nature, but with pretty detail and substance with a vivid purple/garnet hue in the glass, it is a Cornas of style and serious impact that way out performs the price. I have been following the Paris wines for a few vintages and especially this bottling, they are fabulous wines across the range and I can’t wait to try the 2016’s and 2017’s once they get a few more years on them, and I highly recommend searching them out.

The tightly wound and seductively layered 2013 Vincent Paris “Granit 30” Cornas comes from Vincent’s youngest vines on the lowest part of the slope of decomposed granite on the lieu-dits of St. Pierre and Patou in the Mazards zone. These plots deliver ripe flavors, medium tannins and savory tones, helped by being planted at about 300 meter elevation. Vincent uses up to 15% stems depending on vintage, to add complexity and structure, while allowing the wine to be beautifully polished and easy to drink in its youth. This deep and brooding 100% Syrah was fermented in a combination of stainless and wood at low temperatures and will only native yeasts, then the Granit 30 is aged 12 months in barrel, before bottling, all unfined and unfiltered. Vincent Paris does a couple of super rare wines too, his “Cornas” grown Blanc, his 100 year old vine Cornas, a wine on par with Allemand and Clape, as well his Saint-Joseph Rouge that is stunningly pure. This winery is rocking it right now and this Granit 30 should not be missed, look for any vintage from 2012 to 2017, which is supposed to be insanely good, but this sleeper year 2013 is very impressive and would be a savvy score if you can find it.
($30-40 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive

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