The dark ruby/purple-colored 2001 Cornas Les Terres Brulees’ big, smoky, earthy perfume cascades from the glass. The heady aromatics are followed by flavors of smoky blackberry fruit intermixed with cassis, licorice, mineral, and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, rich, and pure, it should drink well for 10-12 years. There are generally 2,000-2,200 cases of this young vine blend. The irrefutable modernist of the Rhone Valley, the well-known oenologist Jean-Luc Colombo continues to fine tune his winemaking. His barrel-aged Cornas cuvees are among the most progressively made offerings of the appellation, revealing no rusticity and supple tannin. Colombo practices cold soaks as well as other cutting edge techniques (i.e., micro-oxygenation) in order to subdue the substantial tannins of Cornas.Importer: Palm Bay International, Port Washington, NY; tel. (516) 802-4700.