The origin of the Courbis Family estate dates back to the 16th century, with brothers Dominique and Laurent Courbis continuing their family’s long legacy to this day. Located in Northen Rhône, Dominique and Laurent are pioneers of modern French winemaking. Their signature style of aromatic, pure and lengthy wines is represented perfectly within their 8 hectares of vineyards in the appellation of Cornas.
The appellation is located opposite Hermitage and in similar fashion can produce age worthy wine. It is here that the Courbis brothers produce some of the most compelling and best examples of Syrah in Northern Rhône. The vineyards are all situated on southeast facing slopes with vines that were planted in 1947. All the grapes are hand-picked and 100% destemmed. The syrah undergoes maceration for 2 to 4 weeks before it matures in barrels of new and old oak (up to three years). The wine is bottled 18 to 24 months after the harvest.
"An almost Hermitage-like bouquet of burning embers, cassis, graphite, woodsmoke, and spring flowers emerges from the 2018 Cornas La Sabarotte, which comes from a tiny, south-facing vineyard in this heralded appellation. Massive, full-bodied, tannic, and lengthy, it's a candidate for the wine of the vintage in Cornas. It needs 4-5 years of bottle age, but it’s a brilliant, magical wine that will keep for 20- 25 years. Drink: 2024-2050."
97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com, May 2020.
