Domaine Courbis 2017 L'Aube Collines Rhodaniennes 750ml

This delivers a beam of dark currant and cherry fruit, steeped with bay leaf, white pepper and singed cast iron accents. Dark and winey through the finish, with the iron note lingering.

Score: 91 points -- JM, Wine Spectator, 2019

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Domaine Courbis’ modern, gravity-fed winery is located in the commune of Chateaubourg on the right bank of the Rhone, where the Isere river flows in from the east. This is the most southerly section of the St. Joseph AOC, with Cornas AOC next door. Brothers Laurent and Dominique oversee the Domaine’s 33 hectares of vineyard holdings, including some of the most highly regarded sites in Cornas. Fermentation is in sealed, temperature regulated steel vats and concrete tanks to produce the robust, fruit-forward, and polished style that characterizes Courbis wines; maturation is in oak barrels, with new wood reserved only for the top cuvees.