Alain Voge Cornas Cuvee Les Vieilles Fontaines 2019

$139.95

15.00% /

750ml /

Vintage: 2019

WS 95
WA 98
JD 98

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Winery: Alain Voge
Varietal: Syrah
Winemaker: Cecile Cabre
Wine Style: Red Wine - Bold and Structured
Wine Country Of Origin: France
State / Province: Rhone
Sub Region / AVA: Cornas

Wine Description

Crafted by the meticulous hands of winemaker Cecile Cabre at Alain Voge, the Cornas Cuvee Les Vieilles Fontaines 2019 is a testament to the enduring vitality of 80-year-old vines rooted in a resplendent granite terroir. The 2019 vintage, characterized by a hot and dry season, showcases the remarkable resilience of these vines, yielding grapes that express profound terroir-driven flavors.

In the glass, this Cornas cuve unveils a deep, inky color that hints at its concentration and power. The aroma is a symphony of salted licorice, crame de cassis, and black fig, underscored by a subtle interplay of olive tapenade and balsamic reduction. On the palate, the wine unfolds with density and opulence, revealing layers of mulled plum, smoked game, and licorice. The tannins, though present, are supple and well-integrated, providing a framework for the wine’s weight and richness.

Wine Spectator awards it 95 points, praising its form, cast iron minerality, and a formidable finish. Wine Advocate bestows a remarkable 98 points, noting its concentration, richness, and extraordinary aging potential. Jeb Dunnuck, also awarding 98 points, describes it as a blockbuster with mulled black fruits, ground pepper, and a heavenly finish. This cuve, a selection from a single parcel of granite soils, embodies the essence of Cornas, a wine destined for greatness. Best enjoyed from 2024 through 2035, this is a vinous masterpiece in the making.

Reviews (3)

3 reviews for Alain Voge Cornas Cuvee Les Vieilles Fontaines 2019

Rated 4 out of 5

WS – March 23, 2023

This has density and power, with sappy black fig, mulled plum and cassis offset by savory olive tapenade and salty balsamic reduction. Maintains a nice form to support its weight, with grounding cast iron minerality and accents of bay leaf and violet on the formidable finish. Best from 2024 through 2035.
Rated 4 out of 5

WA – March 23, 2023

Salted licorice and crème de cassis mark the nose of the 2019 Cornas Vieilles Fontaines, another clear step up in the hierarchy of bottlings at Alain Voge. Produced from 80-year-old vines situated near a spring, which virtually prevents the vines from shutting down even during hot, dry years, the wine ages two years in 15% to 20% new French oak. Full-bodied, concentrated and rich, tannic but supple and loaded with aging potential, this is an extraordinary Cornas. Despite the weather challenges of 2021, Managing Director Lionel Fraisse had a smile on his face when I rang the bell outside the small tasting room in the village of Cornas. I thought I caught a glimpse of the widow Voge behind the curtains to my right, where she has continued to live since Alain’s passing in 2020. There will be no Saint-Péray Ongrie from 2021, nor sparkling Saint-Péray from this year, said Fraisse, as those vineyards were devastated by frost and mildew. Additionally, Fraisse said no decision had yet been taken regarding separate bottling of a 2020 Chapelle Saint Pierre and Vieilles Fontaines. Thankfully, the 2019 versions here are solid, with the 2019 Vieilles Fontaines (still in barrel at the time of my visit) looking particularly impressive. We took advantage of my visit to check in on some 2011 and 2001 wines, so owners of those will find updated reviews in this report. This organically farmed domaine remains a fine source for Cornas and Saint-Péray.
JD – March 23, 2023

Lastly, the flagship 2019 Cornas Les Vieilles Fontaines is a tiny selection from a single parcel of old vines that’s still resting in barrel (about 15-20% new). It brings more opulence and decadence in both its aromas and flavors, offering a monster array of mulled black fruits, smoked game, licorice, ground pepper, leather, and bouquet garni. Young and primordial, this full-bodied, concentrated, blockbuster styled Cornas has building tannins, a round, expansive mid-palate, and one incredible finish. It’s going to take a decade or so to shed its considerable baby fat, but it’s a heavenly wine in the making. Note, this cuvée was first produced in 1988 and is only made in exceptional years. It comes from a single parcel of granite soils and 80-year-old vines and is named after a spring (or fountain) located on the property. It is 70% destemmed and always sees a touch of new oak.

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Critical Acclaim

WS 95

Wine Spectator

This has density and power, with sappy black fig, mulled plum and cassis offset by savory olive tapenade and salty balsamic reduction. Maintains a nice form to support its weight, with grounding cast iron minerality and accents of bay leaf and violet on the formidable finish. Best from 2024 through 2035.

WA 98

Wine Advocate

Salted licorice and crème de cassis mark the nose of the 2019 Cornas Vieilles Fontaines, another clear step up in the hierarchy of bottlings at Alain Voge. Produced from 80-year-old vines situated near a spring, which virtually prevents the vines from shutting down even during hot, dry years, the wine ages two years in 15% to 20% new French oak. Full-bodied, concentrated and rich, tannic but supple and loaded with aging potential, this is an extraordinary Cornas. Despite the weather challenges of 2021, Managing Director Lionel Fraisse had a smile on his face when I rang the bell outside the small tasting room in the village of Cornas. I thought I caught a glimpse of the widow Voge behind the curtains to my right, where she has continued to live since Alain's passing in 2020. There will be no Saint-Péray Ongrie from 2021, nor sparkling Saint-Péray from this year, said Fraisse, as those vineyards were devastated by frost and mildew. Additionally, Fraisse said no decision had yet been taken regarding separate bottling of a 2020 Chapelle Saint Pierre and Vieilles Fontaines. Thankfully, the 2019 versions here are solid, with the 2019 Vieilles Fontaines (still in barrel at the time of my visit) looking particularly impressive. We took advantage of my visit to check in on some 2011 and 2001 wines, so owners of those will find updated reviews in this report. This organically farmed domaine remains a fine source for Cornas and Saint-Péray.

JD 98

Jeb Dunnuck

Lastly, the flagship 2019 Cornas Les Vieilles Fontaines is a tiny selection from a single parcel of old vines that’s still resting in barrel (about 15-20% new). It brings more opulence and decadence in both its aromas and flavors, offering a monster array of mulled black fruits, smoked game, licorice, ground pepper, leather, and bouquet garni. Young and primordial, this full-bodied, concentrated, blockbuster styled Cornas has building tannins, a round, expansive mid-palate, and one incredible finish. It's going to take a decade or so to shed its considerable baby fat, but it’s a heavenly wine in the making. Note, this cuvée was first produced in 1988 and is only made in exceptional years. It comes from a single parcel of granite soils and 80-year-old vines and is named after a spring (or fountain) located on the property. It is 70% destemmed and always sees a touch of new oak.

Food Pairing with Alain Voge Cornas Cuvee Les Vieilles Fontaines 2019

Our wine experts think this Bold and Structured Alain Voge Cornas Cuvee Les Vieilles Fontaines 2019 wine would be a match made in heaven with these dishes. Bon appétit!