Winemaker Notes
Description: Bouquet - Aromas of thyme, rosemary and other herbs typical of the "garrigue" (Mediterranean scrubland). Taste - A powerful wine, full-bodied, with notes of ripe fruit and liquorice.Serving Suggestions: "Les Bartavelles" will complement game, beef stew or lamb
Professional Ratings
Jean-Luc Colombo: Give the best from each of the most beautiful terroirs
Jean-Luc Colombo's childhood dream of becoming a winemaker and viticulturist came to fruition in the early 1980s with the acquisition of his first vineyard, a small plot of old Syrah vines perched on a granite hill overlooking the village of Cornas. From there was born the first vintage of Cornas "Les Ruchets." Early success led to the quick acquisition of more vineyards in the Northern Rhône and Provence. Throughout his journey Jean-Luc has remained true to his passion for winemaking and committed to his guiding principle: respecting nature and the unique qualities of each terroir.
Cornas is the heart and soul of Jean-Luc Colombo. A small appellation spanning 120 hectares of craggy terraces overlooking the Rhone river. It is where Syrah has found its most profound and pure expression of character, and it remains the sole grape variety cultivated throughout the appellation. A unique terroir, well-preserved in the midst of a forest of green oaks and junipers, lends depth and minerality to the wines. Not forgetting his origins Jean-Luc returned to his home region of Provence in the early 2000s. Near the Gulf of Marseille, in the limestone hills facing the Mediterranean Sea in an area locally known as Cote Bleue (Blue Coast), he purchased parcels of land from various proprietors which allowed him to create a new vineyard.
Living amidst their vineyards in Cornas, Jean-Luc and Anne have always been committed to preserving their environment by working in harmony with nature's abundance. Maintaining an ecosystem where insects, animals and vines coexist and thrive is paramount to them. As such, organic methods have been employed in their vineyards for many years. Additionally, Jean-Luc is a firm believer of dry farming. Irrigation is strictly prohibited in the vineyards, encouraging deep rooting of the vines, allowing for the full and pure expression of the terroir in accordance with the unique characteristics of each vintage.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Famous for its full-bodied, seductive and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley. Large pebbles resembling river rocks, called "galets" in French, dominate most of the terrain. The stones hold heat and reflect it back up to the low-lying gobelet-trained vines. Though the galets are typical, they are not prominent in every vineyard. Chateau Rayas is the most obvious deviation with very sandy soil.
According to law, eighteen grape varieties are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and most wines are blends of some mix of these. For reds, Grenache is the star player with Mourvedre and Syrah coming typically second. Others used include Cinsault, Counoise and occasionally Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picquepoul Noir and Terret Noir.
Only about 6-7% of wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is white wine. Blends and single-varietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral Grenache Blanc but Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne are grown with some significance.
The wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon. The lore says that after moving in 1309, Pope Clément V (after whom Chateau Pape-Clément in Pessac-Léognan is named) ordered that vines were planted. But it was actually his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as "the pope's new castle," didn’t really stick until the 19th century.