Johann Michel, Cornas Mere Michel Vintage:2017

Johann Michel, Cornas Mere Michel Vintage:2017Shades of crushed granite, cacao and leather lend earthen, savory complexities to this gorgeously raw, rustic Cornas. Black plum and cherry flavors are ripe and concentrated, edged by firm, fiery tannins. It needs a bit of time to soften and meld but should improve well through 2037. Anna Lee C. Iijima

doing amazing research and never resting on their laurels

exotic tea and a hint of orange peel

Discreet though still easily perceptible wood surrounds the spicier aromas of red berries

amphora and concrete egg

with intense flavors of cherry-cola

the wine is medium to full-bodied and framed by ripe tannins that feel somewhere between velvet and silk on the lingering finish

naturally sweet and mouth coating finish that displays evident warmth

pushing the fruit to the background

not unctuous but offers very good intensity and snap

juicy and exotic

In this tasting

I previously reviewed the 1998 Lirac Cuvee de la Reine des Bois prior to bottling