Author: Dirk Chan
Our online feature this week is the Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge (Rhone Valley, France) – $24.49 (regularly $30.49).
Since the early 1980’s, the name Jean-Luc Colombo has been linked with the northern Rhone appellation of Cornas, famous for their Syrahs. With holdings also in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Hermitage, the Southern Rhone and Provence, he has been an outspoken pioneer with strong opinions about the French wine industry. He has consulted for over 100 estates in the Rhone Valley. With Anne, his wife, they have a farm where they have created a little paradise planted not just with grapes but with trees of apricots, figs and olives, a vegetable garden and many flowering plants. In 2010, their daughter Laure joined the family estate as a viticulturist and oenologist. Everything is farmed organically.
Hard to believe this is the first Jean-Luc Colombo wine in our store, but our weekly feature this week is their Les Abeilles Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge a 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre blend with an intense purple color. On the nose, seductive aromas of red fruits (cherry & strawberry), coriander and bay leaf. This is a fresh and silky wine, with notes of licorice and spice on the palate finishing with nice acidity. A food-friendly wine which will perfectly match grilled lamb, pork and assorted cheeses.
