Cornas “Billes Noires” AOP 2016

Grown in the Lieu dits "Les Arlettes", this Syrah grows on vines up to 55 years old on pure granite and granite weathered soils. For the Billes Noir, the grapes are de-stemmed to 100%, the grape cap is punched down daily for the time of the approximately two-week fermentation. Spontaneously fermented without any additives, the wine is aged for 12 months first in 10-year-old tonneaux and then for another 12 months in concrete eggs, where it is stirred twice a year before being bottled unfined.

Dark ruby red with black core.

The name of the 2016 Billes Noir says it all, and so does the nose of this exceptional Syrah, initially black as night until silhouettes are slowly discerned in the all-encompassing darkness. Its after black cherries, blackberries and mulberries waft lightly smoky notes that shepherd the twilight of fruit and spice. Juniper, dark tobacco and black olives add herbaromatically to the dark. The full picture of this Syrah, when viewed in the light, unfolds best in large, expensive glasses after timely decanting.

Despite all the darkness, despite all the anticipatory power on the nose, the Billes Noir, like all Barret wines, is almost light on its feet, so disciplined is it on the palate. With an initially almost hesitant appearance, it builds up more and more pressure without ever lapsing into bolide ponderousness. Fruit, tannin and acidity combine on the palate to a stringent cooperation with a menacingly low sipping resistance and a smoky, fruity cool finish with an impressive length. Syrah Directors Cut!