Rhône Theme
Timed Online Auction, 2 - 12 February 2024
Rhône | International & South African offering
About the SessionThe first sale of the 2024 Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auction calendar is an exciting Rhône valley and Rhône-style offering and has fast-become one of the most popular at Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auctions.
About this Item
From the young age of 24, Stéphane Robert was already making wines from rented vineyards but in 1994, starting with 2.5 hectares of vines in Cornas, Saint-Péray and Saint-Joseph appellations, he established Domaine du Tunnel. Twenty years later, he expanded his estate with an additional purchase in Condrieu. In 2014, Stéphane restored a tunnel in Saint-Péray (previously used by a steam train linking Valence to Vernoux en Vivarais) and turned it into his cellar. Today, Stéphane Robert Domaine du Tunnel owns 11 hectares on hillside, granite terraces in Saint-Péray, Cornas, Glun, Mauves, Tournon sur Rhône and Chavanay planted to Syrah (Cornas and Saint-Joseph), Marsanne and Roussanne (Saint-Péray) and Viognier (Condrieu).
Produced from the fruit of 15 separate parcels of Syrah vines with an average of 50 years, grown on steep granite slopes across 8 lieu-dits, with around 15% whole bunch fermentation. The wine is aged for 14 months in 4th-use oak. This is both ripe and fresh, with a lovely rich polished texture, powerful floral aromas, layered bramble and black cherry fruit, garrigue, black olive and pepper.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘Glossy, rich thick fruit, lifted medicinal notes. A touch acetic, perhaps, but all in keeping with the Cornas style.’ – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Sep 2018)
‘Inky ruby. Ripe blackberry and cherry compote aromas are complemented by suggestions of peppery spices, licorice and violet. Taut, sharply focused black and blue fruit flavors show very good delineation, and a smoky mineral element adds lift and back-end cut. Fine-grained tannins add subtle grip to a spicy, floral-dominated finish that hangs on with strong tenacity.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 92/100 (Apr 2018)
‘Can a Cornas be too easy to drink? That's the only possible complaint with the 2016 Cornas from Stéphane Robert. Aromas of crushed stones, baking spices and red plums lead into a medium to full-bodied wine that's plump and silky on the palate, with a lingering berry-tea finish.’ – Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate, 92/100 (Oct 2018)
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