A Fan Boy's Gratitude

I’ve become a big fan of Jean-Luc Colombo’s wines recently. What this winemaker is doing in the Northern Rhone is fascinating, bringing change to what has been seen as a staunchly adverted-to-change environment. Primarily thought of as a producer of exceptional single-vineyard Cornas, Colombo’s foray into white wine is no less significant, as exhibited here in the Jean-Luc Colombo Cotes-du-Rhone La Redonne 2006 ($13.96) – a blend of 70% Viognier and 30% Roussanne. Drawing from the extraordinary vineyard sites in Condrieu (the Viognier) and St.Joseph (the Roussanne), this delicious, medium-bodied white wine offers up notes of mangoes and apricots in the nose, giving way to a soft minerality intermingling with peaches and white flowers on the palate. The wine has a slightly viscous mouthfeel, with surprising honeyed fruit tones and well-balanced acidity.

All-in-all, this white wine gives you a remarkable amount of character for the price. Another stunning effort from Colombo, give this wine a try. Like me, you'll be glad you did.