Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas Les Terres Brulees 2016

Cellar for up to 7 years. Decant 2 hours before serving.

Les Terres Brulees is the French translation of Cornas which in Celtic means “burned earth”. This is a reference to the tiny commune’s south-facing slopes which shelter Cornas from cold winds from the Rhône river. The grapes for this stunning Syrah are sourced from several parcels growing on steep slopes of the right bank of the Rhône, giving great concentration of flavour, a deep inky red hue, and significant potential for longevity. This wine is aged for 21 months in second-use oak barrels to add extra complexity and to give the wine time to grow and mature.

Seductive notes of blackberries, cassis, raspberries and sweet licorice characterise the nose, while in the mouth blackcurrants, dark chocolate, coffee and tobacco flavours emerge. A touch of minerality comes through on the palate along with gentle tannins, a soft, velvety mouthfeel and long finish. Thanks to the bright freshness, the Les Terres Brulees is a fabulous option to drink now alongside a fine steak or hearty game dish. This is also an excellent bottle to cellar since it will continue to develop and evolve up until 2026 if not longer.

Producer Jean-Luc Colombo has built up a stellar reputation in the Rhône Valley since purchasing his first vineyard in Cornas in 1986. In addition to acting as a “flying winemaker” who consults for dozens of wineries, he also continues to make his own superstar wines from prime vineyard sites in Hermitage, Côte Rotie, Saint Joseph and Condrieu amongst others.