Type: Red
Country: France
Region: Northern Rhone
Grape Variety: 100% Syrah
Alcohol Percentage: 13.5%
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Climate: Temperate climate with more sunshine than the most other parts of Rhone
Terroir: Colombier’s vineyards are located to the east and south of Hermitage where glacial and river alluvium makes up the topsoil. In the upper terraces of their vineyards there is also loess and limestone—just like the eastern section of Hermitage. A good portion of their younger vines are located south of Hermitage on Les Chassis, an alluvial plain created by the Rhône and the once torrential Isère River
Ageing: Fermentation in cement tanks (35%) and large oak barrels (65%)
Color: Intense dark red
Nose: This mid-weight wine expresses deep spice, graphite and pepper aromatics that are encouraged by its more reductive winemaking blend of cement and large barrels
Palate: The palate is always fresh with dark fruit, forest floor and a graphite-like texture. This is a classic Crozes with a sharp focus that opens up in the bottle after fifteen minutes or so to reveal its more charming sides
About the Winery:
Domaine du Colombier was started 80 years ago by the Viale family, and is now in the hands a Florent Viale, a friendly, joyful and generous giant winemaker. And his wines reflect him. ‘…one of the best in the northern Rhône, but for some reason, this estate remains under most consumers’ radar” Robert Parker’s compliment further enhances the status of this best-but-unsung domaine in northern rhone. Most of the vineyard is old vines planted on stony hillside sites and trained on stakes in the local tradition. This means that most of the work, including harvest, has to be done by hand.