The medium-bodied 2001 Cornas Les Mejeans (2,000 cases) exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as sweet aromas of black fruits, roasted nuts, herbs, and licorice. Easy to understand, and impeccably pure and well-balanced, this cuvee is fashioned from vineyards leased by Jean-Luc Colombo. The irrefutable modernist of the Rhone Valley, the well-known oenologist Jean-Luc Colombo continues to fine tune his winemaking. His barrel-aged Cornas cuvees are among the most progressively made offerings of the appellation, revealing no rusticity and supple tannin. Colombo practices cold soaks as well as other cutting edge techniques (i.e., micro-oxygenation) in order to subdue the substantial tannins of Cornas. Importer: Palm Bay International, Port Washington, NY; tel. (516) 802-4700.