Crozes Hermitage, Les Fees Brunes Syrah, Jean Luc Colombo

An upmarket cuvée from a single vineyard block displaying delicate notes of blackcurrant and raspberry on the bouquet leading to a fresh, juicy cherry and black plum fruit palate against a ferrous background. Dark purple colour. On the nose, the wine is intense; reminiscent of blackberries and liquorice, supported by notes of black pepper. The palate offers a wonderful combination of the New World and Old World styles as this wine has lots of fresh cherry and black plum fruit flavours against an intense, spicy, mineral background. Crozes Hermitage is the largest of all the northern appellations of the Rhône with the vineyards surrounding the Hermitage appellation. "Les Fées Brunes" (The Brunette Fairies) is made from 60-year-old vines from a single vineyard planted on the terraced granite slopes. Grapes grown on 60-year-old vines are harvested by hand into small, shallow containers and vinified traditionally, undergoing a three weeks maceration post fermentation. The wine is aged six months in oak barrels (15% new oak and 85% in one- to four-year old barrels). Lovely with pork and chanterelle mushrooms, or pigeon casserole. Can be enjoyed young or after 4 or 5 years for more complexity. Serve at 17°–18°C.