Durand 2016 Cornas "Premices" 750ml

Deep brilliant ruby. Spice-accented aromas of cassis, cherry liqueur and fresh violet are complicated by a smoky mineral quality. Nicely concentrated and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry, dark berry, vanilla and salty olive notes that turn livelier with air. The cherry note lingers on a long, seamless finish that shows just a hint of rounded tannins.

Score: 92 points -- Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 2018

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Domaine Durand’s winery is located in Chateaubourg, just across the D86 highway from Domaine Courbis. Brothers Eric and Joel Durand, who have run the Domaine since 1996, produce wines from Cornas, St. Joseph, and St. Péray, as well as a white IGP. The wines are fruit-driven, rich, and more approachable when young than many reds from the Northern Rhone, though they will also age beautifully.