Domaine du Colombier : Crozes-Hermitage "Cuvée Gaby" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2023 Domaine du Colombier

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a beautiful yellow hue, ranging from pale to deep, illuminated by bright and luminous highlights.

Nose
Highly complex, the bouquet opens with delicate notes of white flowers, ripe pear and peach. With aeration, nuances of citrus, acacia honey, apricot and subtle toasted touches come to enrich this aromatic palette.

Palate
The attack offers a silky, full-bodied texture while retaining a lovely mineral tension. The palate unfolds flavours of white-fleshed fruit and almond, extending into a persistent finish marked by an elegant salinity.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with grilled fish such as sole, seafood, or sushi. It also brilliantly accompanies white meats such as roasted poultry, Mediterranean dishes or soft-rind cheeses.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate this Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2023, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of around 12°C. Ready to enjoy now, it can also be cellared and enjoyed until around 2030.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content ranging between 12.5 and 13%. It is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its full authenticity, which may result in a slight natural sediment.

The elegance and purity of a Crozes-Hermitage white wine by Domaine du Colombier

The estate

Located in Mercurol, France, in the Rhône Valley, Domaine du Colombier traces its origins back to 1929, when the family's great-grandparents settled there. After decades of selling to négociants, estate bottling began in 1991. Today, Florent Viale, representing the third generation, runs the estate alongside his brother David. Domaine du Colombier stands out for its philosophy centred on the authentic expression of terroir and minimal intervention, producing wines of great finesse that perfectly reflect their appellation.

The vineyard

The plots dedicated to this Crozes-Hermitage white wine cover approximately 1.4 hectares. They are ideally situated on steep slopes with poor soils, composed of limestone and clay. The estate favours sustainable farming practices and rigorous manual work. The vines, planted at high density, have an average age exceeding 50 years, fostering concentrated yields and optimal berry quality.

The vintage

The year 2023 was marked by particularly contrasting weather conditions. After a mild winter, spring brought heavy rainfall, increasing disease pressure in the vineyards. The summer season then alternated between intense hailstorms and prolonged dry spells, requiring constant attention right up to harvest.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are hand-harvested and then carefully sorted. Fermentation takes place at low temperature to preserve aromatic freshness. This Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2023 is aged for six to nine months, split equally between French oak demi-muids and concrete egg-shaped tanks. The wine is finally bottled under inert gas, without filtration or fining.

Grape varieties

85% Marsanne
15% Roussanne