Domaine Combier - Crozes Hermitage Red 2023
A historic reference for Crozes Hermitage, Domaine Combier is a family estate that has been dedicated for several generations to expressing a pure, juicy, and deeply indulgent Syrah. The vines are cultivated with great attention to the soils, yields, and ripeness, in a spirit respectful of life. The plots, located on the plains and hillsides of the appellation, benefit from soils mixing pebbles, clay, and silt, which provide both structure and freshness. The Rhône climate, bright but tempered by winds, allows for full ripeness without losing tension. In the cellar, the vinifications remain minimally interventionist, with gentle extractions and a measured use of wood, in order to preserve the wine's upright and digestible character.
The Crozes Hermitage is the estate’s emblematic cuvée, the one that concentrates Combier’s identity in a precise blend of plots. The 2023 vintage stands out for its homogeneous ripeness, offering ripe fruit but without excess, supported by a beautiful acidic framework. The grapes, hand-harvested, are carefully sorted then vinified with a portion of whole clusters to accentuate the floral and spicy register. Fermentations take place using indigenous yeasts, with measured pump-overs to favor the finesse of the tannins. Aging is done in vats and in several-use barrels, in order to maintain a clear, readable profile where the wood remains in the background. The result is a Crozes Hermitage that is both serious, accessible from its youth, and promising a few years of aging potential.
On the nose, the wine opens with intense notes of black and red fruits, blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry, lifted by violet, black pepper, and a touch of licorice. On the palate, the attack is juicy and immediate, with crunchy fruit supported by fine tannins that structure without hardening. The mid-palate blends black berries, subtle spices, a hint of olive, and light smokiness, in a supple and perfectly balanced texture. The finish is long, fresh, slightly spicy, with a return of black fruits and dried herbs that underline the wine’s drinkability. At the table, Crozes Hermitage Red 2023 ideally accompanies a grilled rib steak, herb-crusted rack of lamb, roasted poultry, or generous bistro-style cuisine. It also pairs very well with structured vegetarian dishes, such as a sauté of mushrooms, roasted vegetables, or a root vegetable gratin.
Grape varieties: 100% Syrah
