93/100
4.5 Stars
Huon Hooke
Medium to light brick-red colour. The bouquet is very mature and very complex, with hints of coffee-grounds and preserved plums. The palate has lightened off and is now very savoury, soft, mellow and low in tannin at this venerable age. Very mature: drink up soonest. It's still a wine of tremendous complexity and charm. A delightful oldie.
Tasted: 03/06/2020
Drink: 2020 to 2020
89 Points Robert Parker
The 1988 Cornas is a more tender style of Cornas than I am used to from Clape; it is not as concentrated as the 1989. It also comes across as lighter, softer, and not nearly as rich and full as most of this estate's wines tend to be. It is drinking surprisingly well at the moment. While some may applaud both the 1989's and 1988's lack of the forbiddingly raw, hard tannin that the savage wines of Cornas can possess, it is those characteristics that I feel make Cornas so distinctive, and repay those who cellar it for 10 or more years. Last tasted 1/96.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Robert M. Parker, Jr. January, 1997
note: this bottle may seep a bit during shipping, which is normal for older or ullaged bottles