In the glass
Aroma: black olive, smoked meat, wild herbs, dark plum, granite
Palate: concentrated black fruit, iron mineral, rustic leather, firm tannins, long
Chapoutier's Cornas from the Les Arenes parcel on granite. Biodynamically farmed old Syrah with the smoky, iron-edged character that defines Cornas AOC.
What it pairs with
-
Grilled lamb sausage with tapenade
Black olive and smoked meat in the wine resonate with grilled lamb and tapenade. -
Braised wild duck
Game bird with rich sauce needs the wine's iron mineral backbone. -
Aged sheep's cheese
The wine's rustic tannins are softened by crystalline sheep's-milk cheese.
How to serve Cornas Les Arenes
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Grilled lamb sausage with tapenade, Braised wild duck, Aged sheep's cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Les Arenes is Chapoutier's single-parcel Cornas from the granite terraces of the village. Biodynamically farmed, it represents the house's interpretation of Cornas' historic granite-terroir character.
- 1991 — First vintage of Les Arenes as Chapoutier's Cornas AOC selection
Facts
- Producer
- M. Chapoutier
- Grapes
- Syrah (100%)
- Classification
- Cornas AOC
- Oak
- 18 months in used French oak demi-muids
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 55-80 at retail
- Drinking window
- 6-18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1991
- Biodynamic
- Demeter Certified
- Organic
- ECOCERT
Frequently asked about Cornas Les Arenes
What does Cornas Les Arenes taste like?
On the nose, black olive, smoked meat, wild herbs, dark plum, granite. On the palate, concentrated black fruit, iron mineral, rustic leather, firm tannins, long. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long, iron-tinged and savoury finish. Chapoutier's Cornas from the Les Arenes parcel on granite. Biodynamically farmed old Syrah with the smoky, iron-edged character that defines Cornas AOC.
When should I drink Cornas Les Arenes?
Drink 6-18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Cornas Les Arenes?
Grilled lamb sausage with tapenade is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Braised wild duck and Aged sheep's cheese. Black olive and smoked meat in the wine resonate with grilled lamb and tapenade.
What grapes are in Cornas Les Arenes?
The blend is Syrah (100%). The wine is classified as Cornas AOC.