Domaine Courbis >
Rhone >
France|
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The origins of the Courbis family estate date back to the 16th century. More recently, the brothers Dominique and Laurent Courbis have succeeded their father, Maurice, who was the mayor of Chateaubourg, their hometown. The estate owns 20 hectares divided as follows: 3 ha in Cornas, 4 ha of St Joseph Rouge, and 13 hectares of St Joseph Rouge. The holdings include the steep terraced cru “Les Royes,” on south-east facing limestone soils at the southern limit of the St. Joseph appellation and two very small, steep terraced parcels in Cornas -- La Sabarotte and Champelrose -- with extremely old vines on granite soils.
All the grapes are harvested by hand and yields are kept to an average of 30 hl/ha. The fruit is 100% destemmed and the maceration period for the Syrahs lasts between two and three weeks. The wines mature in oak casks which are new or up to three years old. The red wines are fined with egg yokes but not filtered and are bottled between two and three years of the harvest.
The wines of the Courbis estate are some of the most compelling examples of St. Joseph and Cornas being made today. The Courbis brothers have combined their long family experience with a modern style and this has earned them international recognition. Robert Parker sums it up in his book on Rhone wines: “Courbis is a name to watch in the Northern Rhone.” Courbis wines regularly receive rave reviews in Wine Spectator, International Wine Cellar, The Wine Advocate and Revue du Vin de France.
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| St-Joseph Blanc |
The St. Joseph Blanc is a blend of 95% Marsanne and 5% Roussane and is fermented at low temperatures, one third in new barriques (with weekly battonage) and two thirds in tanks. The white wine is kept on its fine lees until the spring to develop additional complexity.
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| St-Joseph Rouge |
100% Syrah. Vinification: New vats. Manual harvest, cleaning, pressing. Vinification takes place in sealed thermoregulated stainless steel vats. Maturing: in new vats and casks. Normally bottled after 10-12 months of maturation.
This wine exhibits gorgeously sweet, smocky black rasberry fruit interwoven with hints of graphite and earth.
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| St-Joseph Rouge-Les Royes |
100% Syrah. Vinification: New vats. Manual harvest, cleaning, pressing. Vinification takes place in sealed thermoregulated stainless steel vats. Maturing: in new vats and casks (1-2 years old). 20% new barrels. Bottled after 18 months of maturation.
It exhibits an exceptionally inky/purple color as well as a sweet, provocative nose of blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, graphite and truffles.
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| Cornas-Les Eygats |
Varietals: Syrah
Tasting Notes: Licorice-tinged dark red fruits dominate the palate. Powerful, deep flavors, long finish. This is a cool climate-styled effort in a hot, freaky vintage.
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| Cornas-La Sabarotte |
The Cornas La Sabarotte is aged in 80% new oak and undergoes its malolactic fermentation in cask.
This is a wine with remarkable intensity and richness.
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| Syrah-Vin de Pays de l'Ardeche |
This wine is aged in tanks and has an intense, dark color with powerful dark berry and cassis fruit. It is a remarkable value.
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