Chandra Kurt, Valais (Switzerland) Cornalin 2019

 Chandra Kurt is Switzerland’s foremost wine writer.  She has authored more than 20 books on wine, along with her wine magazine Weinseller Journal.  She eventually decided to try winemaking, with wines celebrating Switzerland’s most unique varieties and styles like this 2019 Cornalin, reminiscent of a cru Beaujolais.  Cornalin is indigenous to Italy’s Val d’Aosta, just over the St.-Bernard pass from the Valais.  So, while Cornalin isn’t quite indigenous to the Valais, it is perfectly adapted to the growing conditions.  The nose on the 2019 Chandra Kurt Cornalin is explosive with red cherries, raspberries, elderberries, fresh plums, violet petals, and white pepper.  The palate is deeply fruited, with bright acidity and fine-grained tannins, providing beautiful structure.