Domaine du Coulet 'Billes Noires' Cornas 2020 (100ml)

Matthieu Barret’s Domaine du Coulet sits high in Cornas and has become a reference for a lifted, vineyard-first take on Syrah. Barret farms biodynamically and prizes ripe stems, gentle pressing and long, unhurried élevage (ageing).

His wines balance depth with brightness, often showing a cleaner, mouthwatering side of Cornas. Despite the detail and care, the Domaine has an easy, unpretentious feel about it, and Barret’s playful labels reflect that.

This is a thoughtful but approachable window into the granite slopes of the northern Rhône.

France’s wine story begins with Greek settlers, Roman farmers and medieval monasteries that shaped famous regions. It remains the benchmark for many of the world’s classic wine styles, built on a deep history of regional identity and an appellation system designed to protect it. AOC rules outline where grapes can be grown and how wines are made, giving structure to places such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and the Rhône. Key grapes like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah all find their most famous expressions here, alongside countless regional varieties.

From the driven whites of the Loire to the rich blends of the south, French wine is ultimately about clarity of origin and a commitment to balance, and modern France continues to evolve, combining precise regional traditions with a renewed focus on sustainability and site expression.

The Northern Rhône is a narrow strip of steep slopes where Syrah takes centre stage in its most focused and famous form. Regions such as Côte Rôtie, Hermitage and Saint-Joseph deliver complex, age-worthy reds with firm structure shaped by the cooler climate and granitic soils, with Crozes-Hermitage often offering more value and approachability. Viognier plays a key role too in producing expressive whites in Condrieu and sometimes adds lift to Syrah in co-fermented blends.

Marsanne and Roussanne round out the white offering in areas like Hermitage. The Northern Rhône is a place of precision and purity with styles that are structured, confident, clearly defined and sought-after.