Guillaume Gilles is one of the most exciting young, traditionally-oriented producers in the entire northern Rhône.
Gilles worked at Chave and Robert Michel. The latter is one of the grand old legends of the northern Rhône, and where Thierry Allemand began his winemaking career.
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The domaine is tiny. When it comes to the Nouvelle R, allocations tend to be handed out in 3-6 bottle quantities.
The heart and soul of Gilles' domaine is the parcel of the great Chaillot vineyard that he received from Robert Michel. His Chaillot is deep, soaring, and powerful. In short, classic Cornas. The Nouvelle R is a totally different expression.
The "R" stands for Les Rieux, a vineyard that Gilles planted in 2010 that sits at 450 meters high, above the amphitheater of Cornas. It's a vineyard of white granite soils that had never been planted before because historically, people worried about the grape achieving proper ripeness. Now, for many growers, ripeness doesn't seem like a godsend but something to battle against. These days, working a vineyard like Les Rieux makes a lot of sense.
The 2020 "Nouvelle R" shows tons of freshness. Here you find a bright and nimble expression of Cornas. There's a purity to the layers of berry fruit and spice that really amazes. Drinking a second glass of this is really, really easy.
Before wrapping up, I should warn you that this will likely sell out quickly and will need to be allocated.
To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits
