Jean-Luc Colombo Crozes Hermitage Les Gravieres 2010

I've reviewed plenty of Jean-Luc Colombo's Rhône reds previously - see the links below for details.

This northern-Rhône Crozes Hermitage is made from 100% Syrah grown on gravelly soils in what was a very good year.

There are garrigue herbs, violets, pencil shavings and spicy, toasty oak on the nose; the palate shows more herbs, red fruits, black cherry, sweet vanilla, peppery spice, pencil shavings and minerality.

Good acidity, soft, smooth texture, perfectly ripe tannins.

Complex, smooth and balanced. Good.

Needs some air to show its best, so don't be afraid to decant for an hour or so before drinking. Or consider cellaring for a couple of years.

Match with roast red meat or barbecue foods.

£13.99 from Waitrose and Ocado; provided for review.

Other related articles
Jean-Luc Colombo, Les Forots, Côtes du Rhône Syrah, 2009
Three red Rhônes from Jean-Luc Colombo
Les Collines De Laure, Syrah, Collines Rhodaniennes, 2009, Jean-Luc Colombo
En Primeur Rhone Tasting With Cambridge Wine Merchants

Links
Jean-Luc Colombo - website, twitter
Waitrose - website, twitter
Ocado - website, twitter