Famille Perrin’s “Les Cornuds” 2020 is a red wine from the prestigious Vinsobres appellation in the southern Rhône Valley. This cuvée is primarily crafted from Grenache and Syrah, grapes emblematic of the region. The 2020 vintage benefited from an ideally warm and dry season, allowing for full phenolic ripeness and depth of flavor. The vineyards, perched on stony, sun-soaked slopes at higher altitudes, provide a perfect terroir: limestone-clay soils ensure good drainage and lend a mineral backbone to the wine, while the southern exposure and cooling mistral winds preserve freshness. In the cellar, the Famille Perrin applies traditional vinification with fermentation in stainless steel and concrete vats, followed by aging in large oak foudres for several months, ensuring the wine expresses both purity of fruit and a harmonious, supple structure.
The southern Rhône, and in particular Vinsobres, is renowned for producing robust, yet elegant reds. The region’s Mediterranean climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters, tempered by the mistral wind which sweeps through the valley, protecting vines from disease and encouraging slow, even ripening. Vinsobres itself enjoys slightly higher altitudes compared to neighboring appellations like Gigondas or Vacqueyras, bringing an extra degree of finesse and freshness to the wine. This terroir, combined with centuries of winemaking expertise, produces wines that are generous, aromatic, and built for both early enjoyment and aging.
For food pairings, “Les Cornuds” calls for hearty, flavorful dishes. It’s a wonderful match for Provençal lamb stew, grilled duck breast, or a classic ratatouille, reflecting its Rhône heritage. Charcuterie, aged cheeses—like a tomme de chèvre or Comté—and roasted Mediterranean vegetables also make excellent companions. The wine’s depth and spiciness stand up beautifully to robust flavors and aromatic herbs such as thyme and rosemary.
For an optimal tasting experience, serve this Vinsobres at 16-18°C. A short decantation of around 30 minutes will help the wine open up and reveal its full aromatic complexity, showing notes of black cherry, blackberry, forest floor, and spicy garrigue. Savor now for its vibrancy, or cellar it for up to 7-8 years to develop further subtlety and roundness.
