Domaine Lionnet Terre Brulee

JAN/FEB 09

Ludovic Izerabie, who is married to Corinne Lionnet, told me that he would describe the house style here as one of elegance. "We don't want our wines to be dark and heavy but we do want structure, and that can be tricky. " Speaking of recent vintages, he offered that "2006 falls between 2004 and 2005 in style, more powerful than 2004 but not as tannic or masculine as 2005. " Izerabie believes that 2007 will equal 2006 in quality, but with more emphasis on power and perhaps less elegance than the earlier vintage. The Lionnet vines in Les Mazards are smack in the middle of the area that was recently proposed as a new housing development. That project, mercifully for Cornas but especially for this estate, was shelved, and the mayor who hatched the plan was booted out in the last local election. (Rosenthal Wine Merchant, Pine Plains, NY)

2007 Domaine Lionnet Terre Brulee Cornas
From Brugeres: Smoky raspberry and blackberry on the nose. Supple and sweet, with deep, seamless red and dark fruit flavors and soft tannins. From Les Mazards in a Saury cask: Spicy red berry aromas. Firmer and more tannic, with chewy cherry/berry flavors. From Les Mazards in a Seguin-Moreau cask: Finer red fruit scents, more spice and minerality up front. Clean, focused and pinot-like in texture and sweetness. From Combe: Explosively perfumed nose shows Asian spices, red berries, flowers and minerals. Clean, focused and pure, even delicate, with excellent clarity and deep raspberry and cassis flavors. The tannins seem to melt into the sweet, spicy fruit. The ultimate blend should be outstanding. 91-93

2006 Domaine Lionnet Terre Brulee Cornas
($50) Vivid ruby. Very fresh, expressive bouquet of raspberry, candied cherry, violet and smoky minerals. Sappy, palate-staining red fruit flavors are firmed by fine-grained tannins. Impressively vibrant and pure, with lingering fruit and floral character. 91

By Josh Raynolds
Jan/Feb 08

2006 Domaine Lionnet Terre Brulee Cornas 90-92
Ruby-red. Fresh red berry aromas are complicated by smoked meat, minerals and a seductive potpourri quality. Spicy raspberry and bitter cherry flavors are braced by tangy minerality and youthfully firm tannins. Finishes with excellent lingering sweetness and a late note of violet pastille. This will be drinkable before the '05.

2005 Domaine Lionnet Terre Brulee Cornas 91
Deep red. Beguiling bouquet of raspberry, apricot, Asian spices and fresh violet. Silky red berry flavors show striking sweetness and depth, with gentle tannins adding support. Tightens up on the finish, at no expanse to the luscious, suave red fruit. (Rosenthal Wine Merchant, Pine Plains, NY)