Noël Verset
Cornas Syrah
Cornas, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
What a special treat to have an entire flight dedicated to the one and only Noël Verset. All three wines were opened prior to dinner and serially enjoyed over the course of a few hours. Stylistically, all three wines were similar and most importantly, sound! The 1998 pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with ripe and slightly desiccated, wild red bramble berries, dried purple flowers, cracked black pepper, black olive, garrigue, spiced meat, coffee, old leather bound books, exotic eastern spices and inorganic earth and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Bro…this bottle left me speechless. It has all of the things I could possibly want in Cornas plus, it has the staying power of Barry White. For me, this was the wine of the flight (and WOTN), overshadowing the more heralded 1999 and giving more than the relatively demure 1992. Drink now through (???). This has the characteristics of an immortal.
What a special treat to have an entire flight dedicated to the one and only Noël Verset. All three wines were opened prior to dinner and serially enjoyed over the course of a few hours. Stylistically, all three wines were similar and most importantly, sound! The 1998 pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with ripe and slightly desiccated, wild red bramble berries, dried purple flowers, cracked black pepper, black olive, garrigue, spiced meat, coffee, old leather bound books, exotic eastern spices and inorganic earth and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Bro…this bottle left me speechless. It has all of the things I could possibly want in Cornas plus, it has the staying power of Barry White. For me, this was the wine of the flight (and WOTN), overshadowing the more heralded 1999 and giving more than the relatively demure 1992. Drink now through (???). This has the characteristics of an immortal.
Mar 29th, 2026
😲 totally meeting expectations. Aromatics were gorgeous, still very fresh and floral. The full bouquet 💐 green parts included but not at all vegetative.
😲 totally meeting expectations. Aromatics were gorgeous, still very fresh and floral. The full bouquet 💐 green parts included but not at all vegetative.
Feb 22nd, 2019
Gorgeous, sophisticated, polished, leather, bacon fat, tar, menthol,
Gorgeous, sophisticated, polished, leather, bacon fat, tar, menthol,
Nov 18th, 2018
Mind boggling. Wine life changing stuff.... pomegranate and grapefruit skin on the nose with tar pepper and blackberries. The palate was super and the finish lasts forever. I can still taste it. Holy s**t
Mind boggling. Wine life changing stuff.... pomegranate and grapefruit skin on the nose with tar pepper and blackberries. The palate was super and the finish lasts forever. I can still taste it. Holy s**t
Feb 21st, 20181998. Incredible purity here. Rusted iron dust, dried violets, beef broth, a silky mouthfeel, exotic, perfumey, and very polished and delicate tannins. Stunning!
1998. Incredible purity here. Rusted iron dust, dried violets, beef broth, a silky mouthfeel, exotic, perfumey, and very polished and delicate tannins. Stunning!
Aug 21st, 2017
Veil of brett, but not suffocating personality of wine. Exotic, wild, Verset character.
Veil of brett, but not suffocating personality of wine. Exotic, wild, Verset character.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 21st, 2022Possibly my favorite wine of 2016. Incredible intensity in a delicate, nuanced package. Black pepper, game, and black raspberry. If you can find any of this, buy it! Thank you @Ron Siegel
Possibly my favorite wine of 2016. Incredible intensity in a delicate, nuanced package. Black pepper, game, and black raspberry. If you can find any of this, buy it! Thank you @Ron Siegel
Aug 24th, 2016Id rate it higher if I could
Id rate it higher if I could
Apr 24th, 2015
Rhone dinner wine #8 - well, Verset takes it. If you have the chance, drink this wine and be ready to be mind blown.
Rhone dinner wine #8 - well, Verset takes it. If you have the chance, drink this wine and be ready to be mind blown.
Jan 11th, 2015Yes--very nice place right now. Beautiful, beautiful Syrah.
Yes--very nice place right now. Beautiful, beautiful Syrah.
Oct 14th, 2014