2016 M.Chapoutier Les Arenes Cornas

Impenetrable black as night core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. The nose is dominated by leathery barnyard like scents with earthy black olive, subtle liquorice, smoked meats and pepper also present. Supple on entry the medium to full bodied palate has moderately concentrated black cherry and liquorice fruits which evolve into smoked meat, graphite, earthy leather and pepper characters on the back half. Polished but sturdy tannins with a slightly chewy mid length aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
The 2016 Cornas Les Arênes shows classic Cornas character (which is a hallmark of this vintage) and offers up lots of black fruits, black olive, graphite, and peppery herbs. This rich, meaty, medium to full-bodied beauty has ripe yet present tannins, good density, and a clean, pure finish. It's classic all the way and has 10-15 years of terrific drinking. Drink 2019-2034.
91 points
JebDunnuck.com


The 2016 Cornas les Arênes is full-bodied and a bit austere—not hard, just reserved—with expressive notes of crushed stone, grilled meat and ferrous-bloody overtones. A blend of several lieux-dits within the appellation, it's a solid representation of the whole. Drink 2019-2026.
91 points
Joe Czerwinski – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate