The 2005 Cornas Terres Brulees (6,500 bottles produced) is aged in three-fourths new oak for 16-18 months. The result is a dense ruby/purple-tinged, medium to full-bodied wine revealing plenty of pain grille, scorched earth, and a hint of hazelnuts in a tannic, but well-endowed format. It should age easily for 12-15 years. This globe-trotting northern Rhone oenologist owns an ever-expanding negociant business, but his finest wines remain his estate offerings from Cornas. He owns 19 acres, including some superb parcels in Chaillot and St.-Pierre. Most are relatively old vine sites. Colombo’s approach to winemaking is thoroughly modern, and he was the first in Cornas to utilize new oak casks. Additionally, he destems everything and aims for relatively high extraction with warm fermentation temperatures.Importer: Palm Bay Imports, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 362-9642

The 2005 Cornas Terres Brulees (6,500 bottles produced) is aged in three-fourths new oak for 16-18 months. The result is a dense ruby/purple-tinged, medium to full-bodied wine revealing plenty of pain grille, scorched earth, and a hint of hazelnuts in a tannic, but well-endowed format. It should age easily for 12-15 years. This globe-trotting northern Rhone oenologist owns an ever-expanding negociant business, but his finest wines remain his estate offerings from Cornas. He owns 19 acres, including some superb parcels in Chaillot and St.-Pierre. Most are relatively old vine sites. Colombo’s approach to winemaking is thoroughly modern, and he was the first in Cornas to utilize new oak casks. Additionally, he destems everything and aims for relatively high extraction with warm fermentation temperatures. Importer: Palm Bay Imports, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 362-9642

Cornas is Colombo's home turf, and the 2005 Terres Brulees shows his mastery, offering up beefy, cedary notes but also cracked pepper and cassis alongside iron-like mineral notes. This is full-bodied and intense, with plenty of structure; drink 2015-2025.——J.C.(4/1/2010)—— 93