Cuvée L 2024, Crozes Hermitage Combier | Rhône

Domaine Combier 's Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée L was born in 1999 with the introduction of the first concrete eggs to the wine estate, marking Laurent Combier 's determination to produce a wine of freshness and purity of fruit. The young Syrah vines are planted on a clay-limestone plateau largely covered with rolled pebbles. This low-altitude terroir, typical of this part of the Northern Rhône Valley, favors regular ripening and direct expression of the grape variety, which Domaine Combier seeks to reveal through minimalist winemaking. For this cuvée, grapes from the estate's own vineyards are blended with grapes from the surrounding communes to the south of the appellation. Harvesting is exclusively manual with selective sorting, followed by total destemming and natural fermentation in temperature-controlled concrete vats. Ageing lasts from 8 to 10 months, divided between ovoid concrete vats for the most part and old barrels, to preserve the fruity identity of this Crozes Hermitage.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Domaine Combier 's Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée L is a rare gem of spontaneous pleasure and finesse. The freshness and ripe fruitiness revealed by ageing in concrete eggs offer a masterly gourmet and supple texture. A must-have from the Northern Rhône Valley, with a flattering, relaxed elegance!

On the nose, this Crozes Hermitage Cuvée Laurent Combier reveals a powerful bouquet of bright red and black fruits, fresh violets and elegant hints of coumarin. A real freshness emanates from this bouquet, reinforced by the presence of sweet spices at the back of the nose.

On the palate, we're immediately surprised by the finesse and silkiness of the tannins, which admirably serve the flavor of pulpy black berries. A touch of camphor and subtle minerality add a lovely relief to this Syrah, whose acidic tension blends perfectly with the ripe structure. The juicy, fresh finish offers an impressive persistence of black fruits and freshly ground pepper.