Guillaume Gilles

Although Guillaume Gilles was born in Lyon, from the age of eight he dreamed of following in the footsteps of his grandfather Marcel Juge, a highly-respected vigneron in Cornas. The opportunity presented itself in 2000 when Robert Michel, a leading grower in the same appellation, offered him a job as an apprentice. He worked with Robert until his retirement in 2006, followed by a stint for Jean-Louis Chave in Hermitage before striking out on his own in 2007 and finally renting 2ha from Robert in the fine lieu-dit of Chaillot. Here the vines average 40yo with a myriad of massale clippings and clones (planted by Robert) in the plots of Les Terrasses and Les Grands Murs on extremely steep south to south-east facing slopes.

A seductive nose, lovely weight of rich red/black fruit and liquorice on the palate, imprint of terroir, notably irony and very fine tannins – it’s all very harmonious.

Super with sirloin steak

The grapes were not destalked and the wine has been aged in two thirds 400 litres barrels and bottled without fining or filtration.