More ripe and exuberant than the '10, the hedonistic-styled 2009 Cornas Vieilles Fontaines offers tons of incense, flowers, black raspberries, toasted spices and violet-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, layered and downright sexy, it still has plenty of class and firms up beautifully on the finish. It's hard to resist now given all its fruit and texture, but there's enough tannin here to warrant 4-5 years of bottle age.

This red boasts terrific intensity and vivacity, as mouthwatering acidity from start to finish drives the pastis, sweet tapenade, blackberry coulis and freshly crushed plum notes. The long, tobacco- and bay leaf tinged finish has a nice chalky note underneath. Built for the cellar. Best from 2015 through 2027. 360 cases made.??–JM??Region: France / Northern Rh?ne / Cornas Select to Add