Châteauneuf du Pape, Colombis, 2020
A little less dark and a touch more red-fruited than the Terroirs de Saint Prefert, this is more centred on finesse. The silky fruit flavours are seasoned with a touch of fine-grained salt. This is lively but glides elegantly across the palate and develops notes of kirsch, raspberry and crème de mure, before tapering into a precise, elegant and long, mineral finish. 100% Grenache from 80 year old vines from the Colombis, Le Cristia, Le Rayas and Les Roues vineyards – harbouring three differing soil types: sandy limestone (Colombis); sandstone and sand (Rayas, Cristia) and clay / galet roulets (Les Roues) each with cool expositions. Whole bunch fermented and aged in 2 year old foudres and amphoras. Only 6000 bottles were produced.
critic reviews
The single varietal Grenache 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Colombis is a towering effort. Having the edge over the 2021 and coming in at 15.5% alcohol, it presents pristine aromas of ripe red fruits that have a jewel-like quality to them, dried lavender, cardamom, licorice, pencil shavings and crushed rocks. Full-bodied and layered, it is framed by ever-so-velvety tannins and balanced by high levels of fresh acidity. There is fantastic tension on the complex finish that goes on for well over a minute. 6,000 bottles produced.
Drawn from three plots of old-vine Grenache (70- to 80-year-old vines), the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Colombis looks to be another fantastic example of this cuvee, bursting with cherries and raspberries and nuanced by delicate sprigs of garrigue and hints of roses and black tea. Medium to full-bodied and silken in texture on the palate, it finishes with tremendous length and subtly building tannins. It's one 2020 that could take a few years to come around.