The granitic soils of the right bank of the river extend as far south as Cornas. And whilst the Syrah here is an integral part of the Northern Rhône’s identity, it has a hint of the south’s wilder, garrigue scented style about it.

By contrast to the majestic and somewhat introverted 2018 vintage of this lusty Cornas, this 2019 is a rather flamboyant soul. With one of the most sonorous and attractive Cornas perfumes I have had the pleasure of enjoying, this is a remarkably open and expressive wine. It is all the more thrilling to announce that the palate continues in the same vein. Bold, juicy, dark and ripe, this is a hedonistic roller-coaster of flavour and only right at the finish does the trademark granitic, gruff, Cornas earth makes itself heard by slowly rolling pagan herb and spice notes, buttressed by cheek-sucking acidity and elemental tannins into view. This 2019 vintage is, without doubt, my favourite Saint Pierre to date and it means that I can, at last, add Jaboulet to the pantheon of great Cornas domaines.