Domaine Lionnet: Lovebirds Crafting Beautiful Rhone Classics
In celebration of love ❤️ and craftsmanship, this week we spotlight Domaine Lionnet from Northern Rhone, a husband-and-wife team deeply connected to their winemaking craft.
Corinne Lionnet’s family has been growing grapes in Cornas since 1575, enriching their heritage. Since taking over in 2007, Corinne and her husband, Ludovic Izerable, have crafted exceptional wines that have garnered acclaim, with Josh Raynolds noting they produce "some of the best traditionally styled wines in Cornas."👏👏👏👏👏
Domaine Lionnet spans 2.2 hectares in Cornas and 1.8 hectares in Saint-Joseph, featuring steep, south-facing slopes where old vines thrive (some over 100 years old). The unique terroir of Cornas, characterized by granite soils and an ideal climate, allows for the production of concentrated, expressive Syrah. Their organic (with Ecocert) and biodynamic practices foster a harmonious relationship with the environment.
All work is done by hand. Using whole clusters and native yeast, their low-intervention winemaking in large, mostly old oak barrels (and some amphoras) results in powerful, structured wines. These elegant creations reveal layers of floral, herbal, and dark fruit 🍇 flavors, complemented by subtle minerality, making them beautiful, refined, and age-worthy.
Celebrate love this season with a bottle from Domaine Lionnet, now available at 20% off on all their wines! 🎉
“Domaine Lionnet Vin De France Rien Que du Carignan”
“Rien Que du Carignan” (“Nothing But Carignan”) is a unique Carignan comes from 95-year-old vines in Saint-Chinian, a parcel of his friend. Limited to about 600 bottles, it’s fermented naturally and aged in used demi-muids and barriques, offering punchy spice and elegance.
“Domaine Lionnet Cornas Pur Granit”
Sourced from the Chataignier vineyard, this one-hectare cuvée features 100% massal selection Syrah planted between 2008 and 2011. Its southeast exposure at 380 meters yields a vibrant Cornas with floral notes, mineral clarity, and spicy aromas. This energetic wine offers a more approachable alternative to Lionnet’s “Terre Brulee,” with only 1,800 bottles produced annually.
“Domaine Lionnet Cornas Terre BrULEE”
Their flagship cuvée made from ancient Syrah vines (40 to 100 years old) across various Cornas terroirs. This 100% Syrah blend highlights the distinct qualities of each vineyard: Mazards offers dark robustness from its 50-year-old vines in granite-infused clay-limestone, while Chaillot adds classic granitic weight and subtle spice. Pied de la Vigne contributes structural integrity with its clay-limestone, and Combe, the southernmost lieu-dit, provides round, voluptuous fruit and fragrant floral notes.
The wine is fermented with whole clusters in stainless steel and concrete tanks, aging for 18 months in neutral 600-liter demi-muids. It showcases remarkable concentration, rich aromatics, vibrant spiciness, and compelling tension, with an annual production of 8,000 to 11,000 bottles.
“Domaine Lionnet Saint Joseph Terre Neuve”
Their Saint Joseph vineyard consists of two halves: one featuring younger vines and the other dating back to the 1950s. Both sections are situated on clay-limestone soils rich in large limestone galets, resulting in this cuvée's spiciness and mineral drive. Aged for 18 months in used demi-muids and about 2,500 bottles are produced each year, this red offers complexity and precision.
“Domaine Lionnet Saint-Joseph Pierre Blanche”
Crafted from pure 100% Roussanne from a tiny plot near Chateaubourg, this white cuvee is aged in terracotta jars and a 4-to-5-year-old 228-liter barrel. Only 800 bottles are produced, showcasing intense minerality with bright fruit notes and a refreshing saline acidity.
SPECIAL OFFER:
ENJOY 20% OFF DISCOUNT ON ALL wines by Domaine Lionnet
Promotion period: until Feb 27, 2025
1/ Domaine Lionnet Vin De France Rien Que du Carignan 2021 - Bt
(20% Off) HK$250 ▷ HK$200
Ludovic has gained access to a friend’s parcel of 95-year-old Carignan vines in Saint-Chinian, Languedoc. With the 2021 harvest, he has bottled it for the first time as “Rien Que du Carignan” (“Nothing But Carignan”).
From this half-hectare plot, they produce just 11 hectoliters of wine, naturally fermented and aged in used demi-muid and barrique. The result is a spicy, pure Carignan with deep minerality and a touch of elegance.
2/ Domaine Lionnet Cornas Pur Granit 2019 - Bt | VNS93-95
(20% Off) HK$470 ▷ HK$376
Vibrant, spice- and mineral-tinged dark berry and cherry aromas are complemented by suggestions of olive, licorice and pungent flowers. Energetic, appealingly sweet black and blue fruit and candied violet flavors deepen with air while a smoky mineral element adds lift and back-end cut. Velvety tannins add gentle grip to an impressively long, floral-driven finish that leaves a repeating floral note behind.
-93-95, Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, May 2020
3/ Domaine Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee 2018 - Bt | VNS95
(20% Off) HK$400 ▷ HK$320
Opaque violet color. Precise, mineral-accented scents of blackberry, cassis and exotic spices are accompanied by a slowly emerging floral nuance. Sappy and energetic on the palate, displaying sharp delineation to its concentrated black/blue fruit, floral pastille, olive and allspice flavors. Finishes extremely long and spicy, with intense mineral thrust, a hint of candied violet and subtly chewy, harmonious tannins that make a late appearance.
-95, Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, April 2020
4/ Domaine Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee 2019 - Bt | VNS94-96
(20% Off) HK$400 ▷ HK$320
Suave, mineral-accented blackberry, cassis, cherry compote and exotic spice qualities on the intensely perfumed nose, along with a slowly emerging floral nuance. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, displaying powerful lift to the concentrated black and blue fruit, floral pastille and spicecake flavors. Finishes extremely long and spicy, with pronounced mineral thrust, a hint of smoky bacon and gently chewy, well-knit tannins.
-94-96, Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, May 2020
5/ Domaine Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee 2020 - Bt | VNS95
(20% Off) HK$465 ▷ HK$372
Inky ruby. Intensely perfumed, mineral-accented cherry and black raspberry aromas, along with exotic spice, floral and pipe tobacco flourishes. Alluringly sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering sappy cherry-cola, dark berry, fruitcake, allspice and olive flavors that deepen steadily through the back half. Shows firm tension and excellent clarity on the youthfully tannic finish, which echoes the floral note and hangs on with superb tenacity.
-95, Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, December 2022
6/ Domaine Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee 2020 - Mag | VNS95
(20% Off) HK$950 ▷ HK$760
Inky ruby. Intensely perfumed, mineral-accented cherry and black raspberry aromas, along with exotic spice, floral and pipe tobacco flourishes. Alluringly sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering sappy cherry-cola, dark berry, fruitcake, allspice and olive flavors that deepen steadily through the back half. Shows firm tension and excellent clarity on the youthfully tannic finish, which echoes the floral note and hangs on with superb tenacity.
-95, Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, December 2022
7/ Domaine Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee 2021 - Bt | VNS92-94
(20% Off) HK$450 ▷ HK$360
Youthful purple. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh black and blue fruits, star anise, olive, violet and tobacco. A smoky mineral accent builds steadily in the glass and energizes the spice-laced, dark berry liqueur, smoky bacon and floral pastille flavors that are underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the youthfully tannic finish, leaving behind sappy blue fruit, cracked pepper and mineral notes.
-92-94, Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, December 2022
8/ Domaine Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee 2021 - Mag | VNS92-94
(20% Off) HK$900 ▷ HK$720
Youthful purple. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh black and blue fruits, star anise, olive, violet and tobacco. A smoky mineral accent builds steadily in the glass and energizes the spice-laced, dark berry liqueur, smoky bacon and floral pastille flavors that are underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the youthfully tannic finish, leaving behind sappy blue fruit, cracked pepper and mineral notes.
-92-94, Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, December 2022
9/ Domaine Lionnet Saint Joseph Terre Neuve 2020 - Bt | VNS94
(20% Off) HK$355 ▷ HK$284
Inky violet color. High-pitched cherry and black raspberry scents are complemented by building floral and mineral notes. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering intense red and blue fruit liqueur, licorice and olive flavors and a spicy suggestion of cracked pepper. Shows strong energy and a hint of smokiness on the long, blue fruit-driven finish, which is framed by steadily building tannins.
-94, Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, December 2022
10/ Domaine Lionnet Saint-Joseph Terre Neuve 2021 - Bt | VNS92-94
(20% Off) HK$350 ▷ HK$280
Glimmering ruby. Spice-accented black and blue fruits, violet and smoky minerals on the perfumed nose. Juicy and focused in the mouth, offering lively boysenberry, bitter cherry and cracked pepper flavors that turn sweeter as the wine stretches out. The dark berry and floral notes repeat strongly on an impressively persistent finish that's shaped by smooth, even tannins.
-92-94, Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, December 2022
11/ Domaine Lionnet Saint-Joseph Pierre Blanche 2021 - Bt
(20% Off) HK$350 ▷ HK$280
A remarkable 100% Roussanne sourced from a tiny 0.29-hectare plot, it was aged in in terracotta jars and a 4-to-5-year-old 228-liter barrel.
It showcases vibrant notes of yellow plum, apricot, and peach, complemented by refreshing saline acidity. With only 800 bottles produced, this wine offers intriguing texture and complexity.
Light and fruity, it delights from a young age.
Promotion period: until Feb 27, 2025
In stock now, and offered subject to final confirmation and remaining unsold. E. & O. E.
HK Local delivery is free for purchases at or over HK$1,500 on wines and Jancis Robinson Wine Glasses. Otherwise there is a HK$100 charge for orders below HK$1,500. A surcharge will be added to orders delivering to Discovery Bay, Ma Wan and Airport.