Totaling 7 acres, Stephane Cornu farms 2 parcels in Crozes Hermitage adjacent to the famed Hermitage vineyard les Diognieres. The vines are between 20 and 40 years and are cultivated at low yields to achieve complete ripeness. The fruit is 50% destemmed and sees a 3-4 day premaceration before spending 3 weeks on the skins fermenting. Extraction is encouraged by both pigeage and remontage, while the malolactic fermentation takes place in small oak casks - about 20% new. This wine is bottled unfiltered.

"Proprietor Stephan Cornu is fashioning excellent value priced wines." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Crozes Hermitage
Stephane Cornu produces only 400 cases per year of this unfined, unfiltered cuvee.
2001 $20.99 limited
"Proprietor Stephan Cornu is fashioning excellent value-priced wines. The dense, saturated ruby/purple-colored 2001 Crozes-Hermitage exhibits ripe, concentrated flavors of creme de cassis, licorice, smoke, spice box, and a hint of vanilla. Well-proportioned with good acidity as well as definition, it will drink well for 5-7 years." 88-90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #147
2000 $19.99 available
"(25% new oak) Possesses a deep ruby color in addition to a perfumed nose of black cherries, currants and dried herbs, sweet tannin, medium body and a lusty, ripe, in your face personality. It is meant to be consumed over the next 2-3 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
"Red-ruby. Aromas of redcurrant, smoked meat, coffee and tobacco, with an oak element of spice cake. Juicy, supple and sweet, with good texture and vinosity. Flavors of cherry and plum. Became increasingly oaky as it opened in the glass." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03
1999 $17.99 limited
"Deep ruby-red. Deep, slightly medicinal aromas of red fruit confiture and menthol; shows a pronounced liqueur-like sweetness. Tightly wound and penetrating, with strong acidity leavening the wine's density. Black cherry and menthol flavors convey an impression of medicinal austerity; still a bit grapey and bound-up. Strong tannins coat the teeth. Finishes with a note of licorice." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-02
1998 $17.99 very limited