Starting out with a smoking effort that has classic Cornas flair, the 2015 Cornas comes from two lieux-dits: Les Eygats and Saint Pierre. Still aging all in once and twice used barrels, it has lots of dark fruits, new saddle leather, licorice and bouquet garni notes in a full-bodied, beautifully layered, pure style. It's well worth checking out.

More firm and structured, with the bright acidity of the vintage, the 2013 Cornas is classic stuff that exhibits ample ground herbs, leather, black cherry and black raspberry-driven aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, fresh and focused, with notable tannin, it should round into shape nicely once in bottle and have a decade of longevity.

Also classic in style, with smoked earth, licorice, chocolate and ample dark fruit, the 2010 Cornas is a big, rich and rustic effort that stays fresh and lively on the palate. It should be enjoyed over the coming 7-8 years. A collaboration between the Perrin Family, of Beaucastel, and Nicolas Jaboulet, of the Jaboulet family in the northern Rhone, this lineup is made mostly from purchased grapes (The Perrin’s own some of the vineyards in Crozes), with the wines made using Beaucastel barrels in the north, and blended at the Perrin Family winery in the south. They are all well-made, high quality efforts. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802

More rustic, earthy and animalistic is the 2009 Cornas, which possesses blacker fruits as well as additional notes of new saddle leather, roasted meats, bouquet garni and moderately robust tannins in the finish. This relatively new negociant operation combines two of the great families of the Rhone Valley, the Perrins in Chateauneuf du Pape and the Jaboulets in the northern Rhone. In this case, it is Nicolas Jaboulet working with the Perrins. Their objective is to produce high quality selections from major northern appellations. Launching a new brand in a difficult economic environment is always risky, but given the resources available to these two families, this should be a brand worth following. Their first releases were from challenging vintages such as 2006 and 2007, and they appear to be hitting their stride with the 2009s and 2010s.Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802