2017 Thierry Allemand Cornas, Reynard - Cornas - 1 Bottle (0.75L)

A 75cl bottle of 2017 Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard; label and capsule in excellent condition.

Estate-bottled.

Shipped via UPS.

About the estate
Formerly an electromechanic, Thierry Allemand is now one of the elite figures of the steep slopes of Cornas—and, without a doubt, of the Northern Rhône Valley. His wines are highly sought-after, commanding high prices that reward some twenty years of quiet, dedicated labor.

The estate is well-known today, yet the vineyards cover a small area of ​​just five hectares. This historic family estate within the appellation was taken over by Thierry Allemand in 1981; since then, he has worked tirelessly to elevate his wines to the very highest level of the appellation.

With deep respect for the living environment, Thierry Allemand and his team (22 people) tend the vines using natural products like copper, avoiding herbicides. Because the steep terraces make mechanization impossible, the soil is worked using winches and pickaxes. These are admirable practices, yet Thierry Allemand chooses not to seek organic certification. "If you don’t like physical labor, you’ll never be a good winemaker in Cornas," he asserts.

Work in the cellar is equally meticulous, relying on gravity flow (without pumping): the wines are vinified in a "natural" style, without additives and thus without added sulfur. Every step is carefully considered: the grapes are not destemmed; maceration and punch-downs are slow and gentle; and the 24-month aging process—carried out in used barrels (never new oak) without racking—is complemented by a further three months of aging in large *foudres* (large wooden vats). The resulting wines possess a distinctive character while remaining approachable even in their youth. The estate produces two single-vineyard cuvées—Reynard and Chaillot—and, when the vintage allows, a sulfur-free cuvée.

Production is very limited (fewer than 15,000 bottles), and these sought-after wines are particularly rare—especially in France, given that 85% of the output is exported.

About the cuvée
Thierry Allemand is a true icon of the Cornas wine region. This former electromechanic successfully tamed the appellation's steep slopes through meticulous labor; the soils are worked using winches and pickaxes, as mechanization is impossible, and herbicides are strictly banned. Yet, despite these practices, the winemaker has never sought organic certification.
Crafting the Cornas Reynard involves equally meticulous cellar work, guided by a philosophy that respects living ecosystems. The wine is vinified without added sulfur or other additives. The Syrah undergoes slow maceration and gentle extraction to preserve the purity of the fruit. In keeping with this approach, the wine is aged for an extended period in used (non-new) wooden vessels before spending a final three months maturing in large oak casks (*foudres*).
Tasting reveals a magnificent *terroir* wine with a ruby ​​hue and intense violet highlights. It releases aromas of dark fruit (blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry), sweet spices, pepper, tobacco, leather, game, and violet. We recommend cellaring the wine for a few years to soften its tannic structure, making it a perfect match for fine, characterful dishes.