The dense, concentrated, opaque purple-hued 2006 Cornas Les Eygats is pure creme de cassis, scorched earth, incense, and camphor with higher acidity, more tannin, and full-bodied, powerful flavors. It will benefit from 2-4 years of cellaring, and should last for 15+ years. Domaine Courbis appears to have an enlightened winemaking style, using some small oak casks and picking ripe fruit, but never losing the typicity one expects of these wines. Brothers Laurent and Dominique Courbis are avid believers in terroir, and the top cuvees are named after their respective vineyards. There are three vineyard designated wines from Cornas, all from well-known lieux-dits, that are more similar than dissimilar. The 2007s are lighter than the richer 2006s. 2006 is a strong vintage in Cornas, and Domaine Courbis has produced three excellent wines.Importer: Russell Herman, Berkeley Heights, NJ; tel. (908) 771-9082

Youthful, gritty tannins. Very good length.