In recent years, Cornas has emerged as one of the premier sources of Northern Rhône wines, largely due to its unique terroir and the dedication of its winemakers. The region’s decomposed granite soils and steep, sun-drenched slopes create ideal conditions for producing deeply complex and long-lived Syrah wines. The commitment to traditional winemaking techniques by producers like Thierry Allemand and the increasing recognition of the distinctive quality of Cornas wines have solidified its reputation on the global stage.
Among the most iconic vineyards in Cornas is Chaillot. Located in the heart of Cornas, this famed vineyard features decomposed granite soils that impart a distinctive mineral quality to the wines. This terroir, combined with the vineyard’s steep, southeast-facing slopes, allows for optimal sun exposure and drainage, producing Syrah wines of remarkable depth, complexity, and longevity.
Although the vineyards are not officially certified organic or biodynamic, their practices align with organic principles, as no synthetic herbicides or pesticides are used. Due to the steep slopes of Cornas, there is a strong reliance on manual labor. Cover crops and natural vegetation are maintained between the vines to control erosion and support soil health. Tillage is performed by hand or with small machinery whenever possible, helping to preserve soil vitality and reduce compaction.
Chaillot’s renown also derives from the stewardship of renowned winemakers such as Robert Michel and Thierry Allemand, whose dedication to traditional and minimal-intervention winemaking has helped elevate the vineyard’s reputation. Their meticulous care and expertise ensure that the wines from Chaillot are consistently among the finest in Cornas, celebrated for their purity and expression of the unique terroir.
A scion of the Rhône’s vaunted Jaboulet family, Catherine Beliando owns a 3.5-hectare parcel in the Chaillot vineyard, planted with vines dating to 1976, 1978, and 1981. Her parcel was historically managed by Robert Michel, famed for his role in mentoring Thierry Allemand. When Michel retired after the 2006 vintage, the management passed to his protégé, Guillaume Gilles, who continues to make the wines.
The winemaking continues along the same path laid out by Michel. The wines are fermented entirely whole cluster over native yeasts, with gentle pigeage, for 2-3 weeks, then racked into 228L barrels to age, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. The bottles are then stored for 3-4 years before release. The tiny production of 80-120 cases per year makes these bottles extraordinarily difficult to obtain outside of a few fine restaurants in France. Veritas goes to great lengths to acquire these exquisite wines, and we are delighted to share them with you.
