Domaine du Tunnel
Domaine du Tunnel is situed in an old steam train tunnel in the charming village of Saint-Péray in the Northern Rhône...
This small family domaine is run by Stéphane Robert and his wife Sandrine. Stéphane, also the winemaker, began in 1994 when he was just twenty-four years old by renting vines. He now owns 10 hectares of his own vines located in Cornas, Saint-Péray and Saint Joseph.
Vineyards
Stéphane’s Cornas is made from fifteen parcels of Syrah from the following lieu dits: Combe, Patou, Sauman, Champelrose, Les Saveaux, Les Eygats, Les Cotes, Les Mazards, La Geynale and Cayret. The blending of parcels from several lieu dits gives the wine layers of complexity and character. The vines are about 50 years old on average and planted on steep granitic slopes which require them to be trained on individual stakes, and the harvest can only be carried out by hand.
Vintage information
After a ‘powerful‘ vintage in 2009 and a very balanced vintage in 2010, 2011 offered plenty of fruit, freshness and body. Following a hot spring and early flowering, summer was relatively cool and wet which slowed ripening. September was sunny and warm and the vines were able to ripen. As a result of a slow ripening cycle in 2011, the Cornas has complex delicate aromas and a fresh, mouthwatering, acidity.
Vinification
Stéphane’s Cornas spends fourteen months in four year old oak barriques for roundness without masking the fruit.
Tasting Notes
The Cornas has a lovely deep colour with a ripe and spicy nose of fragrant black fruits. The tannins are smooth but structured. Stéphane’s wines have this appealing concentration of fruit, finesse and purity that is profound and mouthfilling.
Vintage information
| Vintage | 2011 |
| Grape varieties |
100% Syrah/Shiraz |
| Region | Cornas, Northern Rhône |
| Winemaker | Stephane Robert |
| Alcohol (ABV) | 13.5% |
Trade customers
Liberty Wines customers can order this wine directly from us.