Winemaker Notes
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.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Crozes-Hermitage is Northern Rhone’s largest appellation, surrounding the steep granite faces of Hermitage to its north and south. Here the rolling vineyards are less extreme and its soils, rich in clay-limestone and alluvial matter, produce Syrahs that range from fruity and charming to lush and seductive. The Syrahs of Crozes-Hermitage have more mass than those from St. Joseph but are less intense than those from Hermitage. While many are intended for early consumption, some of the best Syrahs from Crozes-Hermitage will age beautifully for 5-10 years.
Up to 15% of white grapes may theoretically be added to red Crozes at the time of fermentation but whether this is done or not depends on the decision of the winemaker. The best Crozes-Hermitage Syrahs will be fleshy with black fruit (currant, blackberry and black cherry) and bay leaf qualities, notes of tar and stone, and a well-concentrated finish of smooth tannins.
About a tenth of the wine produced in Crozes-Hermitage is white, primarily composed of Marsanne supplemented by smaller amounts of Roussanne.