The 2020 Cornas les Arênes features seductive scents of violets, thyme, crushed stone and ripe cherries. Blended from several lieux-dits, including les Reynards, Champelrose, Mazard and les C?tes, it's medium to full-bodied, with silky but firm tannins and ample length.

Like almost all of Chapoutier's 2019s, the 2019 Cornas les Arênes is more impressive than its 2020 counterpart. Crushed stone, dried herbs, red plums and black cherries appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, concentrated and dense. It's an exceptional vintage for this cuvée, finishing long and softly dusty.

Crushed-stone notes accent tart cherries in the 2018 Cornas les Arênes. While fresh and zesty, it lacks the ripeness and richness I expect in this cuvée. It's crisp and medium-bodied, with slightly drying tannins.

Chapoutier's 2017 Cornas les Arênes has closed down considerably since last year, but there are still traces of the wine's bold blackberry flavors lurking behind a wall of granitic reserve and firm tannins. Give this a long decanting, or (preferably) open it in several years' time. For now, it's tight and austere, medium to full-bodied but rather ungenerous.

The 2016 Cornas les Arênes is full-bodied and a bit austere—not hard, just reserved—with expressive notes of crushed stone, grilled meat and ferrous-bloody overtones. A blend of several lieux-dits within the appellation, it's a solid representation of the whole.