The dark purple-colored 1996 Cornas La Louvee exhibits pain grille intermixed with smoke, minerals, and black fruits. Unevolved, with a minty component in the background, this well-made, medium-bodied, rich, concentrated, excellent Cornas needs 3-4 years of cellaring; it should keep for 12-15 years.Importers: Langdon Shiverick, Cleveland, OH; tel. (216) 861-6800 and D. Wingfield Int'l, Boca Raton, FL; tel (561) 391-0348

Out of magum, this wine shows thinning fruit and some elevated acids and tannins. Dried cherries, tobacco and cedar are pleasant, but this wine needs to be consumed soon.——J.C.(4/1/2007)—— 86