At a glance

Producer

Thierry Allemand

Region

Cornas, Northern Rhône, France

Grape variety

Syrah

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$500–$1200 (USD), secondary market, depending on condition and provenance

Tasting profile

Intense dark fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant), black olive, smoked meat, violets, with underlying minerality and dried herb notes; evident structure, but aromatic detail emerging.

Evolution: Will develop complex earth, leather, iron, and tertiary spice notes. Fruit will integrate, tannins will soften while retaining freshness.

At peak: A seamless, layered, intensely aromatic Syrah with trademark Cornas power and finesse; notes of forest floor, cured meat, and ripe black fruits will dominate.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus, balancing the richness and ripe black fruit.

Tannins

Firm and powdery, with high density—finely woven but youthful.

Alcohol

Approx. 13.5%–14% ABV (typical for the vintage and producer)

Aging potential

Exceptional; 20–30 years from vintage not unusual.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2026 to 2052

Optimal window

2023 to 2055

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Still vigorous and structured, with tannins starting to soften and layers of fruit and earth emerging.

2015 was an exceptional, ripe vintage in the Northern Rhône; this wine’s substantial structure and natural balance mean it excels with 10+ years, peaking between 2025 and 2035, but ageworthy beyond if cellared well.

Food pairing

Roast lamb with rosemary, cassoulet, wild game (venison, boar), grilled ribeye, duck confit, earthy mushroom risotto, or aged hard cheeses.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (2+ hours if drinking now) — Needed to soften tannins and open up intense aromatics; younger bottles especially benefit from extended aeration.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Dry farming, no chemical pesticides or herbicides, low sulfur, minimal intervention in cellar. Hand-harvested fruit, traditional winemaking. Use of old barrels and minimal packaging.

Thierry Allemand is a recognized proponent of natural, low-impact viticulture. Although not certified, the practices are organically aligned, with a focus on biodiversity and maintaining old-vine health. Low chemical use, manual harvesting, and minimal intervention in both vineyard and cellar all increase sustainability score. No heavy mechanization, but global demand results in some carbon impact from shipping.