Domaine Courbis - Cornas Les Eygats 2016 (1.5L)

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The 2016 Cornas Les Eygats is the gem in 2016 and has a fresh, focused, backward style that carries notes of crème de cassis, spring flowers, pepper, and crushed rocks. With full-bodied richness, good acidity, and impeccable balance, it’s a brilliant wine, but it’s going to need 2-3 years of bottle age to show its full potential. These 2016s and 2017s from the Courbis brothers are terrific follow-ons to their brilliant 2015s. The 2016 Cornas are some of the finest in the vintage and have sexy, ripe profiles that offer more pleasure than most. The 2017s are in the same ballpark, with slightly more upfront charm and approachability. In addition to the Cornas releases, this team is turning out some heavenly Saint Josephs! (Drink between 2021-2036) Jeb Dunnuck

Domaine Courbis Description

The origins of the Courbis family estate date back to the 16th century. More recently, the brothers Dominique and Laurent Courbis have succeeded their father, Maurice, who was the mayor of Chateaubourg, their hometown.

All the grapes are harvested by hand and yields are kept to an average of 30 hl/ha. The fruit is 100% destemmed and the maceration period for the Syrahs lasts between two and three weeks. The wines mature in oak casks which are new or up to three years old. The red wines are fined with egg whites but not filtered and are bottled between two and three years of the harvest.

The wines of the Courbis estate are some of the most compelling examples of St. Joseph and Cornas being made today. The Courbis brothers have combined their long family experience with a modern style and this has earned them international recognition. Robert Parker sums it up in his book on Rhone wines: “Courbis is a name to watch in the Northern Rhone.” Courbis wines regularly receive rave reviews in Wine Spectator, International Wine Cellar, The Wine Advocate and Revue du Vin de France.

Jeb Dunnuck: 96 Points

Vinous: 94 Points

Brilliant magenta. Powerful, mineral-accented boysenberry, cherry preserve, violet and olive aromas are complemented by a smoky mineral nuance that builds in the glass. Palate-staining dark berry, licorice and bitter chocolate flavors pick up notes of candied flowers, vanilla and smoky minerals on the back half. Powerful but surprisingly lithe in style, finishing extremely long, with sharp delineation and gently gripping tannins that emerge slowly. (Drink between 2024-2034)