Les Collines de Laure Rouge Jean Luc Colombo 2018

Les Collines de Laure Rouge, Jean-Luc Colombo, IGP Méditerranée, Northern Rhône, France, 2018 

Grape: 100% Syrah from the estate's "young vines"

Producer Tasting Note:

A brilliant ruby colour. The nose displays a wide range of small ripe red fruits (raspberry & strawberry) with violet and spice undertones. Round on the palate and full of freshness. 

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Sweet black and red berry nose with a hint of cocoa and plum. Soft and juicy with good texture, tannic grip, depth and length."

88/100 points, Decanter World Wine Awards, January 2020

"Notes of char and leather accent spicy licorice and cassis in this smoky but bright-fruited Syrah. While delicate in concentration, its blackberry and cherry flavors are brisk and cutting. The finish meanders on veins of graphite and dried garrigue."

89/100 points, Anna Lee C. Iijima, WINE ENTHUSIAST, July 2021

Jean-Luc Colombo is renowned for his £200 Cornas, "Vallon de l'Aigle" (Syrah) and the "Les Collines de Laure" (The Hills of Laure) is a fantastic way to appreciate his winemaking skills at a great price. It's a blend of grapes from various Northern Rhone appellations, with 80% coming from young vines (15-year-old) in Cornas and the remainder from St Joseph and Crozes Hermitage. The wine is named after these hilly vineyard sites where Laure (Jean-Luc's daughter) played as a child. The grapes are grown in granitic soil typical to the Northern Rhone Valley. The grapes are hand-harvested and 100% free run juice is used. Vinification occurs in stainless steel tanks before the wine is bottled after seven months with no oak used.

Food Match: Fine tannins make it a harmonious and balanced wine. Excellent with cured meats, sausages or grilled pork tenderloin. To be drunk within 2 to 5 years. Serve slightly chilled to 15°C – 16°C