Jean Baptiste Souillard Cornas Saint-Pierre 2016

In addition, it enjoys a micro-climate due to its south-/south-east-facing location on the Rhône hillsides and the influence of the Mistral wind: drenched in sun, the vineyard matures early and grapes are often harvested before any of the region's other vineyards. Certified with the AOC label since 1938, the appellation has been experiencing a real revival since the early 1980s. Led by a handful of enterprising and talented producers and wine specialists, the production surface area has been expanded from the 76 hectares of the 1980s to its current 102 hectares.

The heady Cornas wine is almost black in colour and boasts magnficent body and imposing structure. In its young stages it may appear closed and rustic. But with time it unfurls a sensuality and bouquet of rich, dense aromas that combine blackcurrant flavours with notes of leather, herbs and roasted meat.