Looking much better than the sample I reviewed last year, the 2016 Cornas Vieilles Fontaines has come into its own. It's still cedary but also mammothly concentrated in blackberry and plum fruit, all underscored by notes of crushed granite. Full-bodied and muscular, it's elegant at the same time, with mouthwatering, juicy fruit and softly dusty tannins on the long finish.

Dark and winey, with a large core of steeped plum and blackberry fruit, infused liberally with sage, sweet tapenade, bay leaf and violet notes. The long finish pulls everything together into a dense but defined beam. Best from 2022 through 2040. 580 cases made, 25 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Northern Rh?ne / Cornas Select to Add