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%
91POINTS
90POINTS


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 NOTESLocated 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.
WINEMAKINGGrapes 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).
AGEINGThe wine is left on the lees with a weekly stirring to extract maximum aroma for six months.
TASTING NOTESA 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.