Domaine Combier - Cuvée L Crozes Hermitage 2024
In the heart of the northern Rhône valley, Domaine Combier has become an essential reference for Crozes Hermitage thanks to demanding viticulture that respects the soil. A family-owned estate for several generations, the domaine is committed to expressing Syrah in a pure, precise style that is always very easy to drink. The vines are cultivated with meticulous attention to ripeness, freshness, and the natural balance of the grapes. In the cellar, winemaking remains minimally interventionist to preserve the juicy and spicy character typical of the region. Cuvée L embodies the most immediate and indulgent facet of the domaine. It is designed as a pleasure Crozes, serious but accessible, perfect for discovering the Combier signature.
Cuvée L 2024 comes from selected Syrah plots planted on soils mixing pebbles, clay, and silt, offering both structure and freshness. The 2024 vintage, bright but not excessive, allowed for achieving beautiful grape ripeness while maintaining a lively acidic framework. The harvest is done by hand, then the grapes are vinified with gentle extractions to favor fruit and tannin finesse. Aging takes place mainly in tanks and in already seasoned wooden containers to refine the texture without imprinting the wine with new oak. The cuvée thus retains a very clear, readable profile where the expression of the terroir takes precedence over technique. It is a modern, precise Crozes Hermitage, perfectly calibrated for the table.
On tasting, the nose opens with frank notes of black and red fruits, blackberry, blackcurrant, and raspberry, enhanced by violet, black pepper, and a slight licorice touch. On the palate, the attack is juicy and direct, supported by crunchy fruit and a supple texture. The tannins are fine, well integrated, giving a velvety touch that makes the wine very accessible from its youth. The mid-palate blends black fruits, soft spices, and a hint of black olive in the background. The finish is long, fresh, slightly spicy, with a reminder of black berries and dried herbs inviting you to return. At the table, Cuvée L 2024 ideally accompanies roasted poultry, grilled rib steak, herb lamb, hearty bistro dishes, or vegetarian cuisine centered around roasted vegetables and mushrooms.
Grape varieties: 100% Syrah
