Syrah Les Collines de Laure

Wine information: Jean-Luc Colombo is a relatively young French wine company. Jean-Luc, and his wife, Anne, moved to Cornas from Marseille in 1982 to set up a pharmacy and oenology lab. Four years later, he bought his first vineyard and celebrated his first vintage in 1987. Top quality fruit is sourced from Colombo’s own 20 hectares of vineyards in the northern Rhone (where the company have their headquarters) primarily in Cornas and St Peray, and from his 40 hectares of pioneering vineyard development in the stunning ‘Blue Coast’ area. This is truly a family business: Anne is vineyard manager and wine-maker, as is Laure, their daughter, who joined the family domaine in 2010. Laure is also the figurehead for the sister brand of Colombo & Fille. The winemaking philosophy is classic – it is about respecting the fruit, with vinification and élévage serving to define a style that should exalt elegance and complexity, with good fruit and freshness, and balanced minerality, alcohol and tannins. This 100% Syrah is sourced from granitic terraces and the gravely plain of the Northern Rhone. It is made from young Cornas vines which are destined for this appellation when they come of age. The grapes are harvested manually and undergo a classic vinification. The wine is bottled some 7 months after the harvest to conserve all its' fruitiness.

Tasting Notes: Jean-Luc Colombo Syrah Les Collines de Laure has has a clear ruby red colour with an intense robe. The nose shows a wide range of small ripe red fruits (rapsberry) with a spicy backdrop. The structure of the wine makes for "easy" drinking, but at the same time its origins places it in the same style as its illustrious neighbours from the Northern Rhône. Fine tannins makes for a harmonious wine which is rich and generous. A very approachable Syrah from the Northern Rhône, full of character but with finesse.

Food & Wine match: Try with grilled and roasted red meats, casseroles and stews or mature strong cheese.

 
     

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