Cornas to drink now: Matt Walls' top 20

Notoriously rugged, the only thing that can truly tame a Cornas is time. The question I’m often asked by thirsty Rhône collectors is this – how much longer must I wait?

In fact, there are two main windows in which to open a bottle. The first is when the wine is young, a year or two after bottling, when it’s still surging with fruit and spice. Young Cornas can roar with tannin, but if you like savoury Syrahs with impact and intensity, it can be a thrilling ride. Particularly if paired with similarly sizzling food.

Scroll down for Matt Walls’ top 20 Cornas to drink now

Some argue it’s a waste to open Cornas so young, as you miss out on the complexity of age. They would rather wait for the second drinking window: 10 years or older, when it’s ready to give up some of its deeper secrets.

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