Domaine Combier - Clos des Grives Magnum 2023
In the heart of the northern Rhône valley, Domaine Combier has become an essential reference for Crozes Hermitage. A family-owned estate for several generations, it is committed to working with Syrah with exemplary precision, prioritizing freshness and fruit purity. The vines are cultivated with respect for living things, with particular care given to the soils, yields, and ripeness. The bright climate of the northern valley, tempered by winds, allows for perfectly ripe grapes without losing tension. In the cellar, the vinifications remain deliberately low-intervention, driven by indigenous yeasts, gentle extractions, and measured use of wood. Clos des Grives embodies the estate's flagship cuvée and establishes itself as one of the great classics of Crozes Hermitage.
Domaine Combier Clos des Grives Magnum 2023 comes from a unique plot of old Syrah vines rooted in soils of rolled pebbles and deep clays. The 2023 vintage, sunny but without excess, offered complete phenolic maturity while maintaining a structuring acidic framework. The harvest is entirely manual, with a portion of whole bunches to bring energy, floral complexity, and spicy tension. Fermentation takes place in tanks with measured extractions to preserve the finesse of the tannins and the clarity of the terroir. Aging is then done mainly in barrels and demi-muids of several wines, to refine the texture without marking the wine with new oak. The magnum format ensures a slower and more harmonious evolution, extends aging potential, and offers a spectacular presence at the table on special occasions.
On tasting, the nose unfolds with a deep bouquet of blackberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry, enhanced by violet, black pepper, and a touch of licorice. On the palate, the attack is ample and juicy, with vibrant black fruit supported by tight but very fine tannins that structure without weighing down. The mid-palate reveals a dense and velvety texture, where notes of cocoa, tapenade, garrigue, and light smokiness blend in a perfectly coherent whole. The finish is long, fresh, slightly saline, marked by spices, dried herbs, and a persistent return of black fruits. Served at the right temperature, this Crozes Hermitage magnum pairs ideally with grilled rib of beef, herb-crusted rack of lamb, or roasted duck breast. It also wonderfully accompanies refined bistro cuisine, slow-cooked dishes with deep flavors, or structured vegetarian plates centered around mushrooms and roasted vegetables. Thanks to its generous format and balance, Clos des Grives Magnum 2023 is the perfect companion for large tables, festive meals, and lovers of great age-worthy red wines.
Grape varieties: 100% Syrah
