Cornas "La Louvée"

Jean-Luc Colombo

APPELLATION

Rhône

GRAPE VARIETIES

100% Syrah

WINEMAKERS

Jean-Luc Colombo

TECHNICAL DATA

Alcohol
13.5%

2016

94POINTS

Wine Spectator

FEBRUARY 2019

2016

94POINTS

Wine Advocate

DECEMBER 2018

Where To Buy VIEW BRAND PORTFOLIO

BACKGROUND

Innovation, passion and dedication are what drives Jean-Luc and Anne Colombo, whose contributions to Rhône Valley winemaking is unparalleled. A devotee of the Syrah grape and armed with a pharmacy degree, Jean-Luc and his wife, Anne, opened their wine laboratory in 1984, “Centre Oenologique des Côtes du Rhône” and quickly developed a thriving reputation as a wine consultant throughout France. For their significant life-long contributions to their country, both Jean-Luc and Anne have been awarded the French Legion of Honor, France’s highest civilian award. The Colombo’s innovative approach in the northern appellation of Cornas was nothing short of revolutionary. Today, Jean-Luc Colombo’s wines express the typicity of their terroir with elegance and character, from the Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône to his Provençal roses.

TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTES

The heart of the Colombo winery is based in Cornas, the smallest appellation in the Rhône Valley. Covering only 325 acres, it is nonetheless highly delineated with incredibly diverse microclimates that make an extraordinary impact on the profile of the wines. With a strong Mediterranean influence, summers here are warm. Ancient vineyards are found mostly on steep, south-facing terraced slopes. Decomposed granite soils and stressed growing conditions greatly contribute to the quintessential quality and character of Cornas wines. Cornas AOC has strict laws. Irrigation is not permitted and maximum yields are 34 hl/ha. It is one of the few appellations in the world dedicated to Syrah. "La Louvée" (The She-Wolf) is a 2 acre (0.8 hectare), single vineyard of 80-year-old+ vines, with 30° slope, and yields of 22 hl/ha.

WINEMAKING

Grapes are hand-harvested and de-stemmed. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks

AGING

The wine is aged for 22 months in oak barrels (15% in new oak, 85% in 1 to 3 year old barrels).

TASTING NOTES

A superb and deep ruby color. On the nose, intense and complex notes of black fruit, licorice, herbal notes (garrigue) and minerality. Concentrated and robust yet elegant with flavors of blackcurrant, fig compote and violets. Excellent with beef, wild duck, game, lamb, truffle dishes, stews and hard cheeses.

WINEMAKER

Jean-Luc Colombo