Domaine du Coulet Matthieu Barret Cornas "Billes Noires" red 2011

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Jeb Dunnuck, déc. 2013): 95/100. Even better, the 2011 Cornas Billes Noires, which spends one year in old wood followed by one year in concrete tank, offers blockbuster levels of black raspberry, smoked earth, chocolate, licorice and crushed rock on the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied, long, elegant and with laser-like focus, it nevertheless does not lack for fruit or texture, and has fine-grained tannin framing the finish beautifully. With a scant 600 cases to go around, there's not much of it, but don't miss a chance to grab a couple of bottles if you can. It too will drink well for 10-15 years. Made by Matthieu Barret, these two Cornas were standouts in a larger, appellation-wide Cornas tasting that I did. They are classic, gorgeous wines that left me wondering where I could buy some.