Cornas Jean Lionnet 1993
The 1993 Cornas is a French red wine produced by Jean Lionnet, an estate winegrower in the Rhône Valley. Bottled directly at the property, this wine originates from the Côtes du Rhône region, an area with a rich viticultural history dating back to Roman times. The region is geographically divided, with the northern part characterized by steep slopes where the Syrah grape is predominantly cultivated.
Cornas is a small Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée located on the right bank of the Rhône River in the northern part of the valley, just south of Saint-Joseph and opposite the city of Valence. Granted AOC status in 1938, it is one of the smallest appellations in the northern Rhône, covering approximately 145 hectares of vineyards. The climate is continental, featuring warm summers and cold winters. The steep, south-facing slopes provide maximum sun exposure, making Cornas one of the warmest areas in the northern Rhône—a characteristic reflected in its Celtic name, which translates to "burnt earth." The vineyards are planted on soils consisting almost entirely of weathered granite, along with parts of gneiss and sand, often supported by terraced walls that make mechanical farming difficult.
This wine is made exclusively from Syrah, a blue grape variety also known as Shiraz. In Cornas, Syrah is the only permitted grape variety, and unlike in neighboring Côte-Rôtie, no white grapes are allowed in the production. While Syrah is cultivated in various parts of the world, including Australia, California, and Washington, it is deeply rooted in the Rhône Valley. The area is recognized as the home of some of the most renowned Syrah wines, a reputation built by pioneer producers such as Auguste Clape, Thierry Allemand, and Vincent Paris.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Côtes du Rhône
The Rhône Valley in south-eastern France has grown wine since Roman times. The region falls into two parts: the northern section with steep slopes, where Syrah produces deep wines in Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, and the warmer south, where Grenache-based blends culminate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines are spicy and powerful with dark berries, pepper and garrigue herbs.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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