2010 Domaine du Coulet, Cornas “Brise Cailloux” Northern Rhone, France.
This beautiful and layered 100% Syrah from Cornas is really coming together nicely and looks set for a long gorgeous life ahead, I just recently discovered Domaine du Coulet and from what I tasted, I think this is a great find. Matthieu Barret makes the wines here, taking over from his father, who himself took the helm from his dad (Mattheiu’s Grandpa) who started this domaine after WWII, and their family vines had been suppling some of the top estates with grapes. Barret’s Brise Cailloux is his enter level wine, a pure Cornas from decomposed granite and silty clay soils, made up of multi parcels and aged in a combination of big neutral cask and ovoid concrete tank, this is wonderful and deep Syrah that is meant to be enjoyed early and it certainly delivers on it’s promise. The 2010 Cornas Brise Cailloux by Domaine du Coulet starts with a brilliant dark purple/garnet hue that is almost opaque and with a sweet and savory bouquet that is highlighted by violets, salted melted licorice, gamey notes, graphite/camphur and creme de cassis, leading to a palate of blackberry, boysenberry, plum and blueberry fruits along with black olives, peppercorns, mineral, dusty stones, porcini and anise, plus espresso bean, bacon fat and hint of steamy bitterness. This is classy stuff and while it does have firm tannins and acidic lift, everything feels rich and dense without being heavy or aggressive, this is impressive stuff from Mattheiu Barret and his upper echelon single parcel wines are even more impressive and vigorous, but need more time to develop, so I would suggest trying this gem out first, and it is priced right for the quality, this is a domaine to follow and a talented winemaker on the rise!
($60 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
