PIERRE GAILLARD CORNAS 2021 750ml

ABOUT THE WINE

Famille Pierre Gaillard is a celebrated winemaking dynasty rooted in the sun-drenched hills of France's Northern Rhône Valley. Founded in 1981 by Pierre Gaillard—a passionate viticulturist trained in Beaune and Montpellier—the family estate began humbly in Malleval. Pierre, alongside his wife Pascale, cleared rocky terrains and planted their inaugural vines at Clos de Cuminaille in the Saint-Joseph appellation, reviving ancient Roman-era sites by hand. Today, spanning over 77 hectares across Saint-Joseph, Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Crozes-Hermitage, and extensions into Faugères and Banyuls, the domaine embodies schist-rich terroirs that yield elegant, complex wines. Pierre's children—Jeanne, Pierre-Antoine, and Elise—now co-steer the venture, upholding sustainable practices and a finesse-driven philosophy. Their Syrahs burst with violet, pepper, and mineral depth, while Viogniers offer floral opulence. Hailed by critics for purity and balance, Famille Pierre Gaillard wines capture the Rhône's wild, timeless spirit.
Carved from the rugged granite hills of Cornas in France's Northern Rhône, Pierre Gaillard Cornas 2021 is a bold testament to Famille Pierre Gaillard's terroir-driven legacy, this cuvée sources from 5 hectares of old Syrah vines (average 40 years) on steep, iron-laced granite and gneiss slopes. The 2021 vintage—forged in frost-threatened springs and heat-intensified summers—yields compact, flavorful berries from reduced production. Hand-picked and spontaneously fermented, it's aged 18 months in French oak barrels (20% new) for profound structure without excess. At 13.5% ABV, this pure Syrah (750ml) channels Cornas's volcanic power with Gaillard's sustainable finesse, offering muscular depth and aging potential. A Rhône icon of raw elegance and family soul.

TASTING NOTE:

Opaque purple-black core gleams with brooding intensity, releasing a potent aroma of blackcurrant liqueur, smoked meats, and damp earth, accented by licorice root, graphite, and hints of violet smoke. The palate erupts with dense, inky dark fruits and savory olive brine, reined by vibrant acidity that slices through the ripe vintage warmth. Firm, chewy tannins—mineral-edged and granitic—build a towering frame, revealing layers of espresso, black pepper, and wild herb savoriness. Full-bodied yet poised, it surges to a interminable finish of charred stone, tar, and ferrous snap. Decant generously now for tamed power, or cellar for leathery, truffle-laden evolution. Pairs triumphantly with braised beef or venison. Overall: intense, savory, and majestically structured—a Cornas powerhouse.