Jean-Luc Colombo Crozes-Hermitage 'La Tuiliere' 2016

We'd really like to talk about this wine. But we'd prefer to do it à la Jean-Luc Picard, of the Star Ship Enterprise, if we may (the winemaker's called Jean-Luc, we're immature, what can we say...)

Captain's Log, stardate 9357.6. Our destination is Rhône, where our sensors have detected signs of red fruits and gentle spice. Not just that; Spock says there appears to be a tight structure in place. Curious. Nothing has changed in Rhône for generations and their time-honoured traditions make it greatly interesting to us. Wait, they've locked their phasers onto us! Red (wine) alert!

Jean-Luc Colombo is a relatively young company by French wine standards. In 1982 the family moved to Cornas, in the heart of the Rhône Valley and purchased the first vineyard in 1986. Today, as well as owning vineyards in Cornas, they are pioneering vineyard development in the stunning blue coast area in Provence and have their own winery, bottling line and oenology laboratory in the centre of Cornas.

Their philosophy is classic: it is about respecting the fruit, with vinification and elevage (post-vinification) that aims to exalt elegance and complexity, with good fruit and freshness and balanced minerality, alcohol and tannins.

Jean-Luc Colombo’s wines provide exceptional quality for everyday Rhône drinking. Jean-Luc originally ran his own pharmacy and oenology laboratory before deciding to produce his own wines. Husband, father and winemaker, he is a charismatic figurehead with the affectionate nickname of ‘the winemaking wizard of the Rhône valley’.

The grapes are harvested manually in small cases and vinified ‘traditionally’. The wine is then matured for nine months, half in oak barrels of between one and two years old.

La Tuiliere has aromas typical of the northern Rhône; red fruits and blackcurrant characters balanced with rich spicy notes. Well structured with good grip from the tannins and with discreet oak characters, it is smooth and balanced and can be enjoyed straight away for its fruit, or could be aged for three or four years depending on personal preference.