The 2019 Cornas la Louvee reveals hints of toasty oak on the nose, accenting ripe cassis flavors. It's full-bodied, rich and concentrated, yet never seems heavy or overdone, finishing with flourishes of blueberries and dried spices on the long, long finish.

Summer-like scents of crushed stone, dusty roads, dried herbs and wild blackberries appear on the nose of the 2018 Cornas la Louvee. Looking much better from bottle than a pre-bottling sample I tasted in Cornas, it avoids any sense of jammy excess. Medium to full-bodied, it's supple and ripe, smooth and easy to drink, with a long, silky finish that adds savory hints of beef and anise.

The 2017 Cornas la Louvee comes across as being quite different from the 2018, offering up fresh raspberry aromas and flavors. It's still full-bodied and velvety, but it's also salty, crunchy and vibrant, with a long, licorice and pepper-tinged finish.

In a cooler vintage like 2016, la Louvée's southern exposition is a tremendous boon. The 2016 Cornas la Louvee starts with an absolutely gorgeous nose of Christmas spice and licorice. That's complemented on the palate by rich, plummy fruit, ample weight and concentration and a long, complex, silky finish. Already approachable, it should only get better over the next 2-3 years, then drink well for at least a decade.