Domaine Combier - Hermitage 2023
A major reference in Crozes Hermitage, Domaine Combier takes a historic step with this very first vintage produced under the Hermitage appellation. A family-owned estate for several generations, the domaine has built a reputation for precision, purity of fruit, and great drinkability with northern Rhône Syrah. The arrival on this legendary hillside continues this commitment, with the desire to offer an elegant and contemporary interpretation. The vines, worked with respect for the soil and yields, benefit here from ideally exposed slopes on terroirs combining granite and ancient alluvium. The bright climate, tempered by winds, allows for full ripeness without excessive heat. Hermitage 2023 thus presents itself as the manifesto of an already emblematic estate approaching a prestigious appellation with humility and ambition.The Hermitage 2023 cuvée comes from carefully selected parcels on hillsides with strong personality, where old Syrah vines root deeply into the rock. The vintage, sunny yet balanced, favored a complete phenolic maturity while maintaining a clear acidic framework. The harvest is entirely manual, with meticulous sorting and an adjusted portion of whole clusters to bring energy, tension, and floral complexity. Fermentations proceed slowly with only indigenous yeasts, punctuated by gentle extractions to preserve the finesse of the tannin grain. Aging is done in barrels and demi-muids of oak, mostly used, to refine the texture without imposing dominant oakiness. This first Hermitage signed Combier thus succeeds in marrying depth, terroir expression, and a decidedly digestible style.On the palate, the nose opens with a dense bouquet of blackberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry, lifted by violet, black pepper, licorice, and a fine smoky note. On the palate, the attack is ample and juicy, with bright black fruit immediately framed by tight but very polished tannins. The mid-palate unfolds a concentrated matter, with notes of cocoa, tapenade, graphite, and garrigue, in a velvety texture supported by precise freshness. The finish is long, structured, slightly saline, marked by spices, dried herbs, and a persistent return of black fruits, confirming the aging potential of this first vintage. At the table, Hermitage 2023 ideally accompanies a dry-aged rib steak, herb-crusted rack of lamb, roasted game birds, or pigeon with reduced jus, as well as long-cooked stews with deep flavors. It also finds superb pairings with sophisticated vegetarian cuisine, around mushrooms, roasted root vegetables, and seasonal gratins.Grape varieties: 100% Syrah
