Domaine Combier - Clos des Grives - Jeroboam 2023
A major reference of Crozes Hermitage, Domaine Combier works syrah with exemplary precision and consistency. A family property for several generations, the estate cultivates its vines with respect for the soil and living things, with controlled yields and always precise maturities. The bright climate of the northern Rhône valley, tempered by winds, allows for perfectly ripe grapes without losing freshness. In the cellar, vinifications remain minimally interventionist, driven by indigenous yeasts, gentle extractions, and very measured oak. Clos des Grives is the estate's emblematic cuvée, considered one of the great classics of Crozes Hermitage.
Clos des Grives Jeroboam 2023 comes from a unique plot of old syrah vines rooted in soils of rolled pebbles and deep clays. The 2023 vintage, sunny but balanced, offers complete phenolic maturity while maintaining a beautiful acidic backbone. The harvest is entirely manual, with a portion of whole bunches to bring energy, floral complexity, and spicy tension. Fermentation takes place in tanks with measured extractions, then aging continues in barrels and demi-muids mainly of several wines to refine the texture without marking the wine with new oak. The jeroboam format, with its 3-liter volume, guarantees a slower and more harmonious evolution, greatly extends aging potential, and offers a spectacular presence at the table.
On the nose, the tasting reveals a deep bouquet of blackberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry, enhanced by violet, black pepper, licorice, and a slight smokiness. On the palate, the attack is ample and juicy, with bright black fruit supported by tight but very fine tannins that structure the wine without hardening it. The mid-palate offers a dense and velvety texture, where notes of cocoa, tapenade, garrigue, and graphite mingle in a coherent and refined whole. The finish is long, fresh, slightly saline, marked by spices and dried herbs, with a persistent return of black fruits confirming its status as a great aging cuvée. At the table, Clos des Grives Jeroboam 2023 ideally accompanies a grilled rib of beef, herb-crusted rack of lamb, duck breast, or slow-cooked dishes with deep flavors, as well as structured vegetarian plates centered around mushrooms and roasted vegetables, perfect for large convivial gatherings.
Grape varieties: 100% Syrah
