Thierry Allemand, a former electromechanical engineer, has become a flagship name among the steep hillside vineyards of Cornas. These days his wines fly off the shelves at very high prices, making up for 20 years of hard work without recognition. 22 workers are employed on his 5-hectare vineyard. The vines are treated with copper and sulphur and the soil is turned with a hand-guided plough and winch or with a mattock. But although he has stopped using herbicides, Thierry Allemand has not sought organic certification, seeing himself as an Artisan rather than a commercial producer. In the winery, no sulphur or additives are used during vinification and the maceration process is slow and gentle, as is the punch-down. The wines are matured for 24 months in used oak barrels followed by a further three months in foudres. This is a top-quality domain managed by a low-key and very talented wine grower.

Without seeking organic and biodynamic certification, Thierry Allemand works nonetheless with great respect for nature, and asserts first and foremost the artisan side of his winemaking. In the Cornas appellation, the Syrah grapes are warmed by the sun from the south, which gives an intense, concentrated fruit. This is the wine that results from the work of this winemaker: deep in colour with hints of purple, a splendid nose with a fruity expression of blackberry, raspberry, and cherry, as well as notes of gingerbread and floral aromas. The structured and powerful palate will soften over time to offer a wonderfully balanced wine. To taste in 10-20 years’ time.