The stunning Little Brown Bear (“Petit Ours Brun”) tastes like a baby Cornas. And why should we be surprised? Its maker is arguably the greatest Cornas-maker of the 21st century. The grapes come from a parcel that winemaker Matthieu Barret borrows from a biodynamic buddy of his in Visan, one of the northernmost parts of the southern Rhone. 100% Syrah from 40-year-old, low-yielding, biodynamic vines. Cool purple fruit, earth, bruised blackberries and that indefinable wild quality that makes Syrah from this part of the Rhone pure magic. The Disco Bear: easy pick for a favorite of the year for us.