From the "Romanée-Conti" of Cornas: The Best Value in the Village
2019 Thomas Farge Les Versantes Cornas
In the appellation of Cornas, all roads lead to Reynards. It is the undisputed "Grand Cru" of the village, a steep, south-facing amphitheater of decomposed granite that produces the most profound, long-lived Syrahs in the Northern Rhône. It is the site that made Thierry Allemand a legend. Thomas Farge’s "Les Versantes" is an incredible anomaly in the market because a significant portion of the blend comes from old vines right in the heart of Reynards (along with the prestigious La Côte lieu-dit…
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The Reynards Factor: Sourced partially from the Reynards lieu-dit, the single most famous and expensive plot in Cornas. You are drinking the aristocracy of the appellation.
Objective Value: You are getting access to the same granite slope and old-vine intensity as the region’s cult producers (Allemand, Clape) for a price that is approachable for a weeknight dinner.
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Tasting notes
Aroma
A brooding, intense nose of blackberry liqueur, crushed granite, smoked meat, and violet pastille, with a wild, savory edge of black olive
Palate
Massive and mouth-filling. The 2019 ripeness provides a core of sweet black fruit that coats the palate, but the finish is dominated by the grip of granite tannins. It is powerful, meaty, and undeniably noble
Red Wine Body Profile
Light
Bold
Body Profile
Deep
83/100 Intensity
Light
Bold
83.0/100
Feather-light
Delicate
Lifted
Structured
Deep
Grapes
100% Syrah
ABV
14.5%
Serving
55–60°F
Window
2025–2043
In Detail
This 2019 cuvée includes fruit from the legendary Reynards vineyard—the exact same granite slope that fuels Thierry Allemand’s $500 masterpieces.
In the appellation of Cornas, all roads lead to Reynards. It is the undisputed "Grand Cru" of the village, a steep, south-facing amphitheater of decomposed granite that produces the most profound, long-lived Syrahs in the Northern Rhône. It is the site that made Thierry Allemand a legend.
Thomas Farge’s "Les Versantes" is an incredible anomaly in the market because a significant portion of the blend comes from old vines right in the heart of Reynards (along with the prestigious La Côte lieu-dit).
While Allemand’s Reynards now trades for $400 to $600 a bottle, Thomas Farge offers a direct line to that same granite magic for a fraction of the cost. Since taking over the family estate in 2018, Thomas has emerged as the "New Prince" of Cornas, refining the winemaking to be cleaner and more precise while maintaining the savage soul of the terroir. The 2019 vintage—a year of massive concentration and power—is the perfect vehicle for this site, delivering a wine that is dense, black, and throbbing with mineral energy.
