Laurent Combier - Crozes-Hermitage 2018
Price: $31.75
Producer | Laurent Combier |
Country | France |
Region | Rhone Valley |
Subregion | Crozes Hermitage |
Varietal | Syrah |
Vintage | 2018 |
Sku | 06328 |
Laurent Combier Description
VINEYARDS: The vineyards from Cuvee Laurent Combier Rouge are situated in Pont de l’Isère, where the winery is located in the southern part of the Crozes-Hermitage AOC. Vines are less than 15 years of age and planted in chalky-clay soils that have smooth pebbles on the southern side and on loessic slopes on the northern side. This wine was created in 1999 with the arrival of the first concrete eggs.
VINTAGE: 2018 was a highly demanding vintage, requiring great precision in each decision and a very watchful eye during periods of extreme weather to coax the best from nature and the harvest. After a mild winter bud break was on the early side. In the absence of a spring frost, the vines began their vegetative cycle wonderfully well. This was followed by several stormy spells between the end of May and the end of June, creating ideal
conditions for vine diseases. Given the humidity, the vines also grew quickly requiring the farm to be very reactive and diligent to protect them. A hot, dry summer quickly set in, enabling the vines to grow quickly, raising the prospect of a very precocious and high- quality vintage. In September at harvest time the weather was still very hot, favoring a rapid development in both degrees and maturity. This required the Combiers to move quickly, harvesting at a fast pace and in record time to avoid an excess of over-maturity.
VINIFICATION AND MATURATION: Grapes were handpicked and de-stemmed, undergoing a selective sorting process. Fermentation took place over the course of 20 days in temperature-controlled concrete vats. Punching down of the cap and pumpovers took place twice daily. The wine was aged for eight to 10 months in a 7-hl egg shaped concrete vat.
Wine Enthusiast: 93 Points
Bramble and sage perfume crisp blackberry cassis in this decadently fruity Syrah. It's joyfully primary but kept on point by a vital frame of acidity and fine, lingering tannins. Enjoy this immediately hedonistic but finessed wine now through 2028. Anna Lee C. Iijima
Wine Spectator: 93 Points
Packed with dark and juicy fig and blackberry compote flavors, laced with a mesquite note and backed by melted licorice and black tea on the finish. Yummy stuff.
Wine Advocate: 92 Points
The 2018 Crozes Hermitage Laurent Combier was aged in concrete, so it delivers remarkably pure Syrah essence, including notes of blackberries, espresso and charred meat. It's full-bodied, velvety-textured and long on the finish. What more could a wine-drinker ask for in an entry-level cuvée?
Vinous Media: 90 Points
Deep, shimmering ruby. Mineral-laced cherry and dark berry scents are complemented by a spicy cracked pepper nuance. Silky, broad and nicely concentrated, offering juicy black raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors that become more lively with air. Shows sharp focus and spicy lift on the finish, which features discreet tannins and lingering berry character. -- Josh Raynolds