Their Flagship Cuvee – Premices – is Now Available!
To date, I’ve been able to offer the Brother’s Durand’s killer, smokin’ hot St. Josephs to all of you. And based on the responses, you’ve fallen just as much in love with the wines as have I. Well, folks, OUR SHIP HAS COME IN! I have finally gotten my hands on the Brother’s most important wine. The wine which puts them on the vinous map. The wine which – once you taste it – will convince you there are no other producers which hold a candle to them in Cornas. Here’s what the critics have to say about the Brother’s Durand’s Cornas bottlings:
“One of my favorite estates in Cornas (although the domaine is in Châteaubourg), Domaine Durand is run with incredible talent and passion by Eric and Joël Durand, who also get consulting help from Fabien Ozanne. This estate falls in the quasi-modern camp and produces beautiful wines that have pure, clean fruit and classic profiles. In general, the wines are mostly destemmed and the new oak percentage falls into the 15-25% category. These are terrific wines that offer pleasure in their youth yet also age gracefully.”
~ Jeb Dunnuck
The Durand brothers make lush, fruit driven wines in a modern vein but they are also concerned with preserving vibrancy. Their top cuvees, for example, are usually more understated than the basic bottlings. “We don’t want the taste of wood in the tete de cuvee,” says Eric. As for the general house style, he adds: “We want the flavor of Syrah and the texture of Pinot; we don’t want hard or dry wines. We seek maximum maturity so that the wines will be supple and round.”
~ Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Another brilliantly run estate in the Northern Rhône, Eric and Joel Durand have made rich, concentrated and textured Cornas’ that show each vintage nicely.
~ Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
ERIC & JOËL DURAND Cornas Prémices 2016
Warm fig, blackberry and black currant fruit gives this a decidedly dark profile, while licorice root, dark olive and bay leaf notes score the finish. A tarry edge adds grip and length. Shows range and depth and begs for cellaring. Best from 2021 through 2035. 1,100 cases made; 165 cases imported.
95 points – Wine Spectator
I was able to secure just 5 cases at this price – best price around – and I strongly urge my fans of the best of the Northern Rhone to make your move quickly. These things have a way of selling through in a hurry.
2016 Durand Cornas Premices
$34.98