VINS JEAN-LUC COLOMBO Jean-Luc Colombo Jean-Luc Colombo is a man of warmth, energy, passion, and an insatiable appetite for the good things in life. His dedication to the “plaisirs de la table” (pleasures of the table) took root early, stemming from many joyous hours spent as a small boy assisting his mother, a talented restaurateur in Marseille. Jean-Luc’s subsequent decision to pursue the study of enology was inevitable. With his wife, Anne, Jean-Luc created the “Centre Oenologique des Côtes du Rhône” in Cornas, and for the past 25 years, he has been a winemaking consultant for the best domaines in the Rhone Valley, Provence and Bordeaux. Jean-Luc Colombo’s winemaking and maturation define a style that brings forth fruit and freshness, a silky elegance, with balance and harmony, to each of his exclusive cuvées. French Legion of Honor Recipients: Jean-Luc and Anne Colombo “Revolutionary Enologist” – Robert Parker Winery of the Year – Wine & Spirits “Handful of Stars” – Wine Spectator “ The first to realize [Cornas’] true potential” – Sommelier Journal “The King of Cornas” – The Tasting Panel Vins Jean-Luc Colombo Today, Jean–Luc Colombo’s influence extends well beyond Cornas. His company now produces wines representing major appellations of the Rhône Valley, Languedoc and southern France. Jean-Luc Colombo is also a major influence in the French wine industry. Along with adopting eco-friendly farming practices in his own vineyards, he advises more than 100 producers through his consultancy practice, and he travels the world to promote the wines of the Rhône Valley. For their significant life-long contributions to their country, both Jean-Luc and Anne Colombo (below right) have been award- ed the French Legion of Honor, France’s highest accolade. Jean-Luc and Anne have transferred their love for good food and good wine to their daughter Laure (below left) who joined the family domaine in 2010. Laure, a world traveler, brings delicacy, freshness and authenticity to the winery while serving as Viticulturist and Oenologist. Laure and Anne Colombo The Colombo Philosophy Jean-Luc remains true to his life’s passion and guiding principles: • Respect for the unique qualities of each and every terroir. • Respect for the natural environment – from the wind and weather conditions, to the porous and mineral-rich soil to the biodiversity of the vineyards where native plants, trees and animals thrive. All of which are critical to the aromatic expression of the grapes. • Uncompromising balance between traditional approach- es to vineyard management and a modern understand- ing of the life cycle of the vine. • An understanding that vinification and maturation should serve to define a wine style which exalts fruit, freshness, balance and quality, as well as match a variety of cuisines. A deep appreciation for every region’s unique terroir and personality is reflected in the custom artwork created for each wine label. Cornas, an astonishing appellation with just 325 acres, The Wines of Cornas is among the smallest in the Cornas La Louvée Rhône Valley; however, this (The She-Wolf) is far from a homogenous 100% Syrah. Sourced from a 0.8 hectares (2 acre), landscape. It is instead a single vineyard of 80-year-old+ vines. 30° slope. Yield series of incredibly diverse 22 hl/ha. Owned since 1992. Production 3000 bottles. microclimates, in some cases Hand harvested. Aged 22 months in oak barrels (15% just a few feet apart, that make new, the rest in 1 to 3 year old barrels). Rich, powerful an extraordinary impact on and complex, with aromas of black fruit and licorice, the profile of the wine. The garrigue, and minerality. Palate is harmonious and steep, granitic arenas that define elegant. Exhibits outstanding concentration and the Cornas terraces allow the Syrah grape structure, with very ripe and elegant tannins. Enjoyable to show its greatest expressions. in youth, yet has potential to evolve for two decades. The Cornas AOC has strict laws. Irrigation is not 95 Points Wine Spectator 2012 Vintage permitted and maximum yields are 37 hl/ha. It is the only 94 Points Wine Spectator 2011 Vintage appellation in the Rhone dedicated to 100% Syrah, by law. 96 Points Wine Spectator 2010 Vintage With a strong Mediterranean influence, summers here 94 Points Wine Spectator 2009 Vintage are warm, and ancient vineyards are found mostly on 92 Points Wine Spectator 2008 Vintage steep, south-facing slopes. Decomposed granite soils and stressed growing conditions greatly contribute to the quintessential quality and character of Cornas wines. This appellation was elected “Best appellation of the Vallon de L ’Aigle Rhone Valley in 2005” by the Revue de Vin de France. (Valley of the Eagle) Cornas is home to only a handful of estates with Jean- A micro blend with only 800 bottles produced, this is the Luc Colombo’s winery being a significant presence. quissentential expression of Jean-Luc’s savoir-faire in Cornas. It is made only in exceptional years, from the free- Cornas Les Ruchets run juice of his highest altitude single-vineyard parcel. (The Beehives) Only 0.3 hectares (.74 acres). 70 year-old vines. 40° Slope. 100% Syrah. This is Colombo’s Extremely low yield -- only 3 clusters per vines. signature wine with his first 100% Syrah. Aged 22 months in 1/3 new, 1/3 1-year old, release in 1987. 1/3 2-year old barrels. Deep, dark red. 2.2 hectares (5.4 acres). 90 year- The nose shows great complexity, with old vines. 38° slope. Yield 17 hl/ dominant notes of violet and wild raspberry ha. Production 9,000 bottles. over hints of incense, tobacco and juniper. Hand harvested. Aged 22 Very intense and sophisticated palate, months, 1/3 in new, 2/3 in 1 with silky yet robust tannins. This wine to 3-year-old oak barrels. can age for decades. A complex, elegant nose, with Cornas Terres Brûlées 95 Points Wine Spectator 2009 Vintage beautiful notes of violets, ripe (Burnt Earth) 94 Points Wine Spectator 2007 Vintage black fruits, spices and a touch 100% Syrah. 30-year-old+ vines from 20 different plots of vanilla. A concentrated totaling 4.5 hectares (11 acres). 15-30° slope. Yield 30 hl/ well-structured palate with ha. Owned since 1990. Production 21,000 bottles. Hand- ripe tannins. harvested. Aged 21 months in 15% new, 85% 1- to 4-year old 94 Points Wine Spectator barrels. A very elegant wine with great length. Notes of ripe 2012 Vintage fruits, such as blackcurrant and raspberries, 93 Points Wine Spectator with hints of licorice and coffee. A very rich 2011 Vintage mouthfeel with fine-grained tannins. 95 Points Wine Spectator 93 Points Wine Spectator 2012 Vintage 2010 Vintage 92 Points Wine Spectator 2011 Vintage 94 Points Wine Spectator 2009 Vintage 94 Points Wine Spectator 2010 Vintage 92 Points Wine Spectator 92 Points Wine Spectator 2009 Vintage 2008 Vintage 91 Points Wine Spectator 2008 Vintage Southern Rhône Mediterranean Jean-Luc Colombo has a special connection with bees as his first parcel of land in Cornas had several beehives on it, thus Jean-Luc Colombo wanted to come back to his roots near Marseille for his latest venture--Cape Bleue Rosé. the name of his signature wine “Les Ruchets” or the beehives. Beehives still thrive on this parcel and all of Jean-Luc’s The vines grow on calcareous rocks overlooking the Mediterranean Sea with a landscape composed of olive vineyards, exemplifying his healthy, natural and sustainable approach to vineyard management. trees and garrigue (wild herbs). Côtes du Rhône Blanc Les Abeilles (LAYZ ah-bay) (The Bees) 80% Clairette, 20% Roussanne. Hand-harvested grapes from vineyards in the heart of the Côtes du Rhône near Cairanne, Rasteau, and Vacqueyras. Clairette is aged in tank, and the Roussanne matures on its lees in oak barrels for 6 months. Intense floral aromas complement fresh fruit and mineral notes. Complex and round. 88 Points Wine Spectator 2014 & 2013 Vintages Côtes du Rhône Rouge Les Abeilles (The Bees) 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre. A lovely, food- Terroirs du Vent Viognier friendly wine from ancient Rhône Valley terraces. Refined 100% Viognier. From in tank for 10 months. Seductive red fruit aromas, coriander low yield vineyards, the and bay leaf lead to licorice and spice on the palate. Fresh, wine is matured mostly silky, with a persistent finish. in stainless steel vats 89 Points - BEST BUY Wine Enthusiast 2013 Vintage (with 5% in oak). Intense BEST BUY - Year’s Best Rhone Wine and Spirits 2012 Vintage aromas of acacia, yellow peaches and exotic fruits. Very elegant and harmonious, with appealing freshness. BEE HELPFUL Muscat de Rivesaltes Many are not aware that honeybee colonies are collapsing at an alarming rate. Since Les Saintes (The Saintes) honeybees pollinate more than 90% of flowering crops – including many of the fruits, 50% Muscat Blanc à vegetables, nuts and spices we eat, research is urgently needed to help understand the Petit Grains, 50% Muscat causes of honey bee declines and restore and protect healthy colonies. d’Alexandria. From Clay- limestone soils found at Les Abeilles (LAYZ ah-bay) means “the bees” in French. The wines are named for these fascinating creatures that the foot of the Pyrenees inhabit the vineyards where the grapes are grown. Bees can only thrive where there are no harsh pesticides Mountains. Direct press, 3 L 1.5 L 750 ml employed. Jean-Luc Colombo and Palm Bay International will donate a portion of the proceeds from each low temperature fermentation, and fortified by the addition of grape spirit. consumer purchase of Les Abeilles Côtes du Rhône Rouge and Blanc to support honey bee research and education.