94 Wine Spectator

"Dark, brawny and very tight, with a large core of bramble, blueberry, blackberry, olive and sage notes wound up by an iron-fisted finish. Totally backward now, but shows terrific length and density. Should blossom with cellaring. Best from 2009 through 2018. 430 cases made." -94 points Wine Spectator

"Inky ruby. Powerful dark berry aromas offer compelling depth, with suave oak spice and minerals adding a seductive quality. Strikingly sweet, with broad dark berry liqueur flavors complemented by exotic violet pastille and candied licorice. Finishes with superb focus, with no loose ends or rough edges. This should go straight into the cellar." -93 points- Josh Raynolds- International Wine Cellar

"Easily marries smoky notes from new oak with minerally aromas, then layers on incredibly creamy-textured red cherry-berry fruit, dense and rich. Supple tannins provide focus on the long finish. Drink 2010–2020." -92 points Wine Enthusiast

"The safest bet is the 2005 Cornas La Sabarotte. Its dense purple color is accompanied by notes of gamey meat, roasted herbs, blackberries, and asphalt. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 10-12." -91 points Robert Parker

WINE:
"The Cornas La Sabarotte parcel- widely considered to be among the very best sites of the appellation- has extremely old vines (most planted in 1947 but some are even older) on a granite-limestone soil. La Sabarotte is aged in 100% new oak for 16 months and undergoes its malolactic fermentation in cask. It is Courbis' most dramatic wine, showing saturated black-purple in color with layers of chewy, ripe, sweet fruit with black olive and berry, tar and mineral notes. It has remarkable intensity and richness." -Importer