SAINT-PERAY “LA BELLE DE MAI”

Jean-Luc Colombo

APPELLATION

St. Peray AOC

GRAPE VARIETIES

60% Roussanne, 40% Marsanne

WINEMAKERS

Laure Colombo

TECHNICAL DATA

Alcohol
13.5%

2018

91POINTS

Wine Advocate

DECEMBER 2019

2018

90POINTS

Wine Spectator

OCTOBER 2020

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

Located in the Ardèche, just South of Cornas to the West of Valence, Saint Peray is the southernmost and smallest appellation of the Northern Rhone and enjoys the climatic influences of two regions (the Mediterranean and the Continental climates). Jean-Luc and Anne first acquired their vineyard of 80 year old vines planted with Roussanne and Marsanne in the early 1990s. Jean-Luc named the cuvée produced from this vineyard “LA BELLE DE MAI” which refers to the district in Marseille where his mother (Paulette) ran a local restaurant. This wine is made with organic grapes and certified by Ecocert.

WINEMAKING

Grapes are harvested manually and then slowly fermented in oak barrels from 10 to 12 months (10% new, 90% in one- to five-year old barrels).

AGEING

The wine is left on the lees with a weekly stirring to extract maximum aroma for six months.

TASTING NOTES

A delicate wine that evokes the beginning of spring. Aromas of hawthorn and linden-tree as well as notes of quince and citrus. Full bodied with mineral tones and a long finish.
Delightful with roasted poultry or a meunière-style sole.