2015 Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas "La Louvee"

• Top Producer in N. Rhone
• 97JD Cornas Syrah
• 99pt vintage
• BHW has the lowest price anywhere
• Free Shipping on 12 bottles or more of this wine

About the Wine

The heart of the Colombo winery is based in Cornas, the smallest appellation in the Rhône Valley, covering only 325 acres. Located in the southern part of Northern Rhone these ancient vineyards are dedicated to producing the purest and finest expression of Syrah. Decomposed granite soils and stressed growing conditions greatly contribute to the quintessential quality and character of Cornas wines, the best Syrah the world.

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.

Aging: The wine is aged for 22 months in oak barrels (15% in new oak).

Tasting notes: 100% Syrah. A deep ruby color. On the nose, intense and complex notes of dark berries, black cherry, baking spice, and violets. Rich and concentrated on the palate with plums, berries, and distinct minerality. Excellent with beef, wild duck, game, lamb, truffle dishes, stews, and hard cheeses. 

Reviews

Coming from the steep, granite soils of the La Côte Lieu-dit, the 2015 Cornas La Louvée spent 23 months in 15% new French oak. It’s seriously good, and while it has a slightly modern character, it packs tons of classic Cornas fruit as well as notes of saddle leather, bouquet garni, graphite and cracked pepper. Thick, unctuous and incredibly concentrated, with sweet tannin, it's the finest wine I've tasted from this estate to date. There are only 400 cases but it’s well worth the extra effort to track down. Hat’s off to the young Laure Colombo!

The young Laure Colombo continues to take the leading role at this estate, yet still gets plenty of aid from her father, Jean-Luc. While I wasn’t able to taste her 2016s, her 2015 are unquestionably the finest wines made at this estate to date. ~97JD

While primary on the nose, fresh cherry and berry notes take on a smokier depth on the palate. It's an intensely ripe but elegant wine, with supple curves anchored by brisk acidity and dense, penetrating tannins. The finish is long and lavish. Still taut, it should open and expand from 2019–2030. ~95WE

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