The opaque purple-colored 1999 Cornas La Louvee possesses superb aromas of creme de cassis intermixed with liquid minerals. It is full-bodied, with huge extract and enough acidity to provide delineation to its large-scaled personality. It requires 3-5 years of cellaring to absorb all the oak and drop some tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020. La Louvee comes from 70-year old vines, and is aged in 100% new oak, as opposed to Les Ruchets' 70% new oak. This is Cornas at its most intense and concentrated, with a nod to the modern technique of barrique aging. NOTE: This wine is from the estate vineyards of Ann and Jean-Luc Colombo. Importer: Palm Bay International, Port Washington, NY; tel. (516) 802-4700.

Dark, inky in color. What a wonderful bouquet this has developed, offering floral hints, notes of black olive and bright mulberry and blueberry fruit. This is still very youthful and incredibly packed with flavor. Although it seems creamy at first, it firms up on the finish, showing more iron-like minerality on the finish. Hold.——J.C.(4/1/2007)—— 95