91–94 pts; As always, the top cuvee is the Cornas La Louvee. The 2001 boasts the most saturated purple color in addition to a flamboyant nose of black fruits mixed with toasty new oak. This progressively-styled Cornas borders on being international, but there is plenty of the meaty/ bloody/grilled steak taste that comes from Cornas’ sun-scorched terroir. Deep, full, and masculine, with well-integrated tannin as well as a “reasonably elegant” personality, this classic 2001 should be at its finest between 2006-2015. – R.P.
