Philippe Pacalet
Cornas Syrah
Cornas, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
This is interesting. First off, wonderful experience to drink this wine. Precise aromas, extremely varietal, oodles of white pepper, gamey meats, and red fruits. Light bodied but powerful flavors. My comfort zone. But it really struck me that the wine had a lot in common in body and character with a lot of Syrahs made here in CA by folks who also make Pinot noir. As a wine lover who is primarily interested in the people who grow the grape and make the wine (as opposed to the geology of the soil, though that is interesting too), it is fascinating that such a "minimal intervention" wine can so strongly show a human perspective towards the process. The winemakers hand always shows, despite all efforts to the contrary. As it should be.
This is interesting. First off, wonderful experience to drink this wine. Precise aromas, extremely varietal, oodles of white pepper, gamey meats, and red fruits. Light bodied but powerful flavors. My comfort zone. But it really struck me that the wine had a lot in common in body and character with a lot of Syrahs made here in CA by folks who also make Pinot noir. As a wine lover who is primarily interested in the people who grow the grape and make the wine (as opposed to the geology of the soil, though that is interesting too), it is fascinating that such a "minimal intervention" wine can so strongly show a human perspective towards the process. The winemakers hand always shows, despite all efforts to the contrary. As it should be.
4 people found it helpfulFeb 21st, 2017
Wine Director Hotel Delmano
2013. Scandalous Cornas. Nothing but carbonic and whole cluster notes across the board. Well made...but wayyyyyyy overpriced.
2013. Scandalous Cornas. Nothing but carbonic and whole cluster notes across the board. Well made...but wayyyyyyy overpriced.
2 people found it helpfulJul 22nd, 2016
This is probably the best Cornas from Pacalet I’ve ever had, so full of raspberries, dark berries, even bojsenberries so fantastic, no sign of oak, no sign of normal Syrah carateristy, utterly different and therefore sublime🇫🇷
This is probably the best Cornas from Pacalet I’ve ever had, so full of raspberries, dark berries, even bojsenberries so fantastic, no sign of oak, no sign of normal Syrah carateristy, utterly different and therefore sublime🇫🇷
Aug 5th, 2018This vintage 2016 is more delicate than 2015 in this wholecluster tasting , great effort Why don’t more winemakers do this. Certainly my best Cornas , I recall old style Cornas, impossible to approach for years and then still some weirdness even oddness like unclean winemaking. Kudos to Frank Balthazar and Philippe Pacalet.
This vintage 2016 is more delicate than 2015 in this wholecluster tasting , great effort Why don’t more winemakers do this. Certainly my best Cornas , I recall old style Cornas, impossible to approach for years and then still some weirdness even oddness like unclean winemaking. Kudos to Frank Balthazar and Philippe Pacalet.
Jun 22nd, 2018Very unique expression of Cornas. Changed over 48 hours to show pure limestone and the perfect amount of fruit. Loved drinking this slowly and appreciating the evolution. This wine could work with plenty of time in the bottle. When first had this on release it was totally out of whack. Now showing much nicer.
Very unique expression of Cornas. Changed over 48 hours to show pure limestone and the perfect amount of fruit. Loved drinking this slowly and appreciating the evolution. This wine could work with plenty of time in the bottle. When first had this on release it was totally out of whack. Now showing much nicer.
Apr 26th, 2018
Tastes like wine..... The 2014 Cornas from Philippe Pacalet is uber young. The nose is showing notes of white pepper, spiced plums and violets. Smooth tannins, dry mouth feel and a long smooth finish.
Tastes like wine..... The 2014 Cornas from Philippe Pacalet is uber young. The nose is showing notes of white pepper, spiced plums and violets. Smooth tannins, dry mouth feel and a long smooth finish.
Oct 6th, 2017
Bright red fruit- sour/tart red cherry, very subtle acetone, laser-focused overall.
Bright red fruit- sour/tart red cherry, very subtle acetone, laser-focused overall.
Oct 6th, 2017
