Jean-Luc Colombo, Cornas (Rhône Valley, France) 2011

Cornas “La Louvee” 2011:  Somewhat to my surprise, this gorgeous wine from 2001 showed an even riper fruit profile than the Les Ruchets from 2009.  It also showed less overt oak, though I confess that I found it difficult to tell whether less new oak was involved in the vinification and ageing…or whether it was simply swathed in so much gorgeous fruit that is was less discernable.  No matter.  The fact is that this is a big, meaty, muscular Syrah that — for all of its softness — is nevertheless beautifully proportioned.  The balance of fruit, acidity, wood and tannin is essentially impossible to fault in any respect.  The immediacy of its charms made me want to give it a lower score than the 2009 Les Ruchets, but every time I returned to it, I was persuaded not to do so.  Damned delicious wine.