- 2005 Thierry Allemand Cornas Chaillot - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas (1/19/2022)
There are wines I am never going to buy again. They have escalated in price to where I just won’t take the plunge. Allemand has sadly fallen into that category. It’s sad because Allemand is the rare Northern Rhône Syrah that can simultaneously capture the savage structure and wild elements of Syrah, yet also show captivating fruit. For most it’s one or the other, with the magic only as a matter of luck. This wine (for those few who still seem to have it if CellarTracker is any indication) has decades of life ahead of it, and probably 20 years of improvement. I still don’t regret opening it, as it is currently delicious, and provides visceral, rather than intellectual pleasure, even as it still sinks its claws into my palate. Pain as pleasure!
