TN: Thierry Allemand 2010 Cornas 'Chaillot'

[paul_clark]

I bought three of these + a magnum when they released earlier this year (along with 3 + 1 of the Reynard). Last week I went into the same local shop where I purchased my bottles and they still had a few stragglers on the shelf. I purchased one of these to consume “in the name of science” (ref the 1998 thread). And I regretted it…

Sensational wine but just a massive ball of fruit. Undoubtedly a TON of character but it all of it is subdued by the dense, juicy, steely fruit. Perfectly easy to drink now, it is packed with freshness and the tannins are so svelte. Superbly balanced. Just a shame to ignore all of that smokey, peppery, violet and licorice complexity and open this at such an early stage in its life. It’s all there but the fruit dominates with authority.

A 1/3 of the bottle remains for tonight otherwise I won’t be seeing this wine again for MANY years…reading the 1998 thread this morning reemphasized my conclusions drawn last night. These are seriously Grand Vins and repay patience.

[craig_v]

Thanks for the note Paul, I only own two of them so I’ll need to drink them much closer to their peak window. I also own one 07 Reynard that I may open in a few years at age 10. Assume these are a much better deal in Europe

[Robert.A.Jr]

I felt your pain just seeing the thread title!

Most 2010 Cornas wines are just flat out massive. I stupidly popped a Clape Renaisance “in the interest of science” while the big boy Cornas was tucked away. A dense wine, backward, huge tannins. I promptly scooted all my 2010s to the deeper section of storage. I cannot imagine an Allemand being anywhere near approachable.

Thanks for TOFTT!!!

[Nick_Gangas]

Paul,

I opened an 05 Reynard earlier this month and I’d say it needs at least 5 if not 10 more years.

[Kevin_Sidders]

@paul clark

I bought three of these + a magnum when they released earlier this year (along with 3 + 1 of the Reynard). Last week I went into the same local shop where I purchased my bottles and they still had a few stragglers on the shelf. I purchased one of these to consume “in the name of science” (ref the 1998 thread). And I regretted it…

When I saw the title of the thread, I thought “that doesn’t seem like the best idea.” I love Allemand’s wines, but my experience is that they demand significant aging (came by that knowledge the hard way, through my own premature-open experiences). Interesting to see that you had the same instincts, and came to the same conclusion…

[jcoley3]

Obviously, I’m a big +1 one to your sentiments after my note on the 98.

Some day, I will be old enough, as will my cellar, to minimize the need for this kind of research. At least you have firsthand experience of what you have to look forward to!

[john_stimson]

Nice that you were willing to do this, although I would have advised against it. I had a Reynard 2004 a few months ago that was remarkably good. With plenty of air, it was actually very enjoyable, but I would have advised waiting another 5 years.

[Jay_Miller]

@Kevin Sidders

@paul clark

I bought three of these + a magnum when they released earlier this year (along with 3 + 1 of the Reynard). Last week I went into the same local shop where I purchased my bottles and they still had a few stragglers on the shelf. I purchased one of these to consume “in the name of science” (ref the 1998 thread). And I regretted it…

When I saw the title of the thread, I thought “that doesn’t seem like the best idea.” I love Allemand’s wines, but my experience is that they demand significant aging (came by that knowledge the hard way, through my own premature-open experiences). Interesting to see that you had the same instincts, and came to the same conclusion…

My experience is that they’re gorgeous shortly after release though the Reynard in particular requires at least 2 hours in a decanter. But they’re also gorgeous after 15 years.

Wish I could still justify the price.

[Gerhard_P]

@Nick Gangas

Paul,

I opened an 05 Reynard earlier this month and I’d say it needs at least 5 if not 10 more years.

The 1995 can be called kind of close to maturity, but the 1999 not.
The 1994 is fully mature … but a less structured vintage …

[paul_clark]

Thanks everyone for the feedback…it’s not often that any thread on this board has such a consensus!

Night two the wine was more expressive, character was more pronounced. But still a very fruit forward wine. To give you an impression of “size” this wine is unquestionably GC intensity. It will take ages (as everyone has certainly pointed out and agreed) for all of the various complexities to emerge from the shadow the massive fruit profile.

Great to read a few thoughts (including the awesome note on the 1998) on older vintages. My 3 bottles + 1 magnum of each cuvée were purchased as birth year wines for my daughter. While the wines might start showing some of the kaleidoscope of fragrances in 15 years the sensational balance of this wine suggests that there won’t be any rush to “catch it at its peak”. A real WOW moment in wine for me.

Thanks again for everyone’s thoughts on this wine.

[Zachary_Ross]

I think you’ll find that many of the top Northern Rhones from 2010 will last for many, many years. Great year to have been born, at least from this perspective!

[paul_clark]

I found ample opportunities to use my daughter’s birth year as an excuse to fill the cave with 2010 N Rhones. I am hopeful. And while I have many (many) examples of 2010 I will be curious to see which, if any, reach the heights of Allemand…