HISTORY OF DOMAINE: Robert Michel is the fourth generation of the Michel family to work as a vigneron in the village of Cornas. He vinified his first wines in 1975 and has gradually increased his vineyard holdings so that now this tiny domaine encompasses slightly over 5 hectares.

COMPOSITION OF DOMAINE: The vineyard property is concentrated within the appellation of Cornas. Of the four hectares within Cornas, 1 1/2 are located within the formidable parcel of "La Geynale". The bulk of the remainder is split between "Les Chaillots" and "Le Quartier de Renard" the grapes from which are used to produce the "Cuvee des Coteaux". Michel has recently purchased 6/10 of a hectare in the village of Sarras, north of Cornas, from which he produces a St. Joseph Rouge from the "Bois des Blaches" vineyard site.

METHOD OF VINIFICATION: All grapes are harvested manually. Harvest in Cornas tends to occur in mid-September and encompasses a week. The St. Joseph ripens later (late September/early October) and is brought in rapidly. After a brief cold maceration, the grapes are pressed and alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel or cement tanks. Later, the wine is racked into both small and mid-sized barrels to age. The wines destined for the USA, that is, those imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant are bottled without filtration. The St. Joseph "Bois des Blaches" is usually bottled 20 months after harvest. Both cuvees of Cornas see 24 months of barrel aging.

Tasting Notes

St. Joseph Rouge "Bois des Blaches" 1998: lovely floral element to nose; deep ruby/purple color; touch of pepper followed by intense berry-flavored fruit; supple and fresh
mouthfeel with excellent density; very friendly wine with soft tannins; to be bottled in April 2000; release date: June 2000.

Cornas "Cuvee des Coteaux" 1997: bottled September 1999; aged in 1/3 new oak; excellent ruby color; bouquet rapidly developing complex characteristics - some smoke and roasted nuts apparent; lots of raspberry and strawberry flavors; very silky in texture with agreeable tannic grip; a wine of charm and grace without losing the touch of rusticity common to Cornas; release date: May 2000.

Cornas "La Geynale" 1997: bottled September 1999; still quite unevolved; lots of primary fruit - vibrant nose of crushed berries and underbrush; dense and brooding wine; classic Cornas; finish reflects earth and mineral elements; plenty of backbone and lots of material to support tannic structure; well balanced and substantial; release date: May 2000.