Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas "Vallon de l'Aigle" Syrah 2015
(Northern Rhone, France) - [WS 96] [RP 94] [WE 94] [VM 94]

About the winery:

Rhone's Jean-Luc Colombo, whom Josh Raynolds of Vinous Media has called "the poster child" of the modern Rhone, is a native of Marseilles, and first developed a strong admiration for the wines of the Rhône Valley in the late 1970s as a pharmacy student. It was not long before Colombo began purchasing and cultivating his own vineyards - first in Cornas then throughout the Rhône Valley and Languedoc, leading to the establishment in 1994 of Vins Jean-Luc Colombo. The wines of Vins Jean-Luc Colombo are all sourced from Colombo's own vineyards and from carefully selected domains under his direct consultation; there are now over two dozen.

In 2010, Laure Colombo, Anne and Jean-Luc's daughter, joined the family business, working alongside her parents. She is now the head winemaker and already making a name for herself as one of the Rhône's rising stars.

DESCRIPTION
Hailed as the winemaking wizard of the Rhone, Jean-Luc Colombo has achieved a high-profile international reputation for making innovative wines that are original, memorable and bursting with personality. Despite a resolute aversion to change in the Cornas region, Colombo has brazenly introduced innovative methods in his vineyards and throughout the production process based on a respect for nature and his fundamental belief that good wine is the culmination of three key elements: terroir, human endeavor and modern winemaking techniques. Vallon de l'Aigle (Valley of the Eagle) is derived from the eagle that lives at the top of the vertiginous hills of Cornas and is immortalized on the label. This wild parcel of land is a truly magical place as the eagle has become almost a protecting figure. All of the strength of the eagle is embodied in the wine that is made out of this micro-vineyard; both racy and powerful while maintaining its civility and elegance. From this steep granite slope one can see the Rhone River gently flowing with a breathtaking and exceptional view of the valley. On the left bank of the river, the mountains of the Vercors dominate and contribute to bringing magical vibes to the land. Vallon de l'Aigle is a very limited bottling that is produced only in the best years.

VINIFICATION
Only the best berries are selected. Free run juice is fermented in stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation is in barrels. The wine ages for 24 months (1/3 new, 1/3 one-year, 1/3 two-years). The wine is fined with egg whites and is unfiltered.

COLOR
Deep ruby red color, with brilliant purple reflections.

NOSE
Very complex nose with subtle aromas of flowers, blueberries and mulberries.

PALATE
Silky with floral notes of iris and violets with round and harmonious tannins.

ANALYSIS
Alcohol: 14 %pH: 3.67RS: <2 g/LTA: 3.5 g/L

SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Pairs exceptionally well with game, beef stew, or lamb dishes.

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96 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This is intense, with layers of dark plum, fig and blackberry confiture flavors rolling through, carried by smoldering charcoal and bay leaf notes. Grippy throughout, but the integration is there, while ganache, licorice root and sweet tapenade details fill in on the finish. Impressive. Best from 2020 through 2040. 75 cases made." - JM (Oct 31, 2017)

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Colombo's top Cornas is the 2015 Cornas Vallon de l'Aigle, which comes from a single parcel of south-facing, old vines and is only bottled in great vintages. Like all the Colombo Cornas, it's made to be approachable young. Brown sugar and cinnamon notes spice up the ripe, plummy fruit, along with hints of roasted meat and gravy. Already velvety in texture, with a long, savory finish, it should drink well for up to two decades." - Joe Czerwinski (Dec 2017)

94 Points & Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast:
"This lavish, polished Syrah offers sunburst blackberry and plum flavors that pulsate on the palate. It's a rich, muscular wine but nuanced by hints of dried herb, leather, pepper and olive as well as vibrant acidity. Dense, gripping tannins need to meld. Hold till 2022 but enjoy well through 2030, likely beyond." - AI (9/1/2018)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"Brilliant purple. Exotically perfumed black and blue fruit preserve, potpourri and Moroccan spice aromas, along with hints of woodsmoke, vanilla and olive paste. Silky, seamless and broad on the palate, offering deeply concentrated blackberry, boysenberry, violet and fruitcake flavors that become livelier and spicier with aeration. Rich yet surprisingly energetic, finishing bright and alluringly sweet, featuring supple tannins, lingering florality and superb persistence." - Josh Raynolds (Apr 2018)