Domaine Alain Voge Cornas 'Les Vieilles Vignes' Red 2020

Grape

100% Syrah

Tasting notes

Blended from some of the top lieux-dits of the appellation: Combe, Patou, La Côte, Les Mazards and Chaillot, it is then aged for 20 months in approximately 15% new oak. This dark, inky-hued wine retained a bright, fresh fruit notes of raspberries and plums and hints of cedar and menthol. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with a firm, granitic structure and almost silky tannins and tremendous length to finish.

Story: This is their classic wine. The oldest of the Domain’s wines, it was created during the 1970s to highlight the long-standing family vineyard. Vines for this wine are located in the heart of the appellation, facing those we first replanted. Les Vieilles Vignes is a wine that reflects our history and our winemaking know-how.

Expert Ratings

97 / 100 Jeb Dunnuck

"The 2019 Cornas Les Vieilles Vignes is similarly inky colored and has a classic nose of plums, Asian spices,sandalwood, and iron. Medium to full-bodied, with good acidity and ripe tannins, it doesn't have the sheer weight, richness, or girth of the Vieilles Fontaines, yet it's certainly a more classic Cornas that will be approachable with just 3-4 years of bottle age yet evolve for twenty years if you're so inclined."

96 / 100 Wine Spectator

‘This is packed with succulent cherry, plum paste and blackberry fruit flavors that show hints of mulled spice, dried anise, singed tobacco and sweet tapenade as they move through. A mouthwatering mineral edge extends the lengthy finish. Cellar patiently, then serve with game for the full seduction. Best from 2024 through 2038.’

92 / 100 Robert Parker

‘Now, this is more like it. A big step up from the disjointed Les Chailles, the 2019 Cornas Vieilles Vignes is a classic rendering of Cornas, with hints of crushed stone, mint, blueberries and red berries on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated enough, yet it's not overbearing or heavy; it’s just deliciously drinkable and will drink well for more than a decade. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes. Despite the weather challenges of 2021, Managing Director Lionel Fraisse had a smile on his face when I rang the bell outside the small tasting room in the village of Cornas. I thought I caught a glimpse of the widow Voge behind the curtains to my right, where she has continued to live since Alain's passing in 2020. There will be no Saint-Péray Ongrie from 2021, nor sparkling Saint-Péray from this year, said Fraisse, as those vineyards were devastated by frost and mildew. Additionally, Fraisse said no decision had yet been taken regarding separate bottling of a 2020 Chapelle Saint Pierre and Vieilles Fontaines. Thankfully, the 2019 versions here are solid, with the 2019 Vieilles Fontaines (still in barrel at the time of my visit) looking particularly impressive. We took advantage of my visit to check in on some 2011 and 2001 wines, so owners of those will find updated reviews in this report. This organically farmed domaine remains a fine source for Cornas and Saint-Péray.’

More About The Winery

Domaine Alain Voge is one of the benchmark estates of the Northern Rhône, deeply rooted in Cornas and Saint-Péray. The estate was established in the early 20th century and gained recognition under Alain Voge, who took over in 1958 and played a key role in restoring the reputation of Cornas and reviving the white wines of Saint-Péray. His work focused on meticulous vineyard management and a strong commitment to expressing terroir.

Today, the domaine covers around a dozen hectares across Cornas and Saint-Péray, cultivated organically and following biodynamic principles. The winemaking philosophy is precise and traditional, with careful fruit selection, gentle extraction, and restrained use of oak to preserve freshness, purity, and structure.

In Saint-Péray, the wines are primarily made from Marsanne, sometimes complemented by Roussanne, producing textured, mineral-driven whites with floral aromatics and excellent ageing potential. Now led by Lionel Fraisse, Domaine Alain Voge continues to craft elegant, terroir-focused wines that stand among the finest expressions of both Cornas and Saint-Péray.