2016 Crozes Hermitage Clos des Grives
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Tasting notes
Lurid ruby. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes an array of red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities, along with smoky mineral and incense nuances. Sweet and seamless on the palate, offering intense cherry, blueberry and violet pastille flavors braced by a core of juicy acidity. Supple, fine-grained tannins emerge steadily on a strikingly long, focused finish that echoes the floral and mineral notes. These vines were planted in 1952.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Combier's 2016 Crozes Hermitage Clos des Grives comes from a single parcel of 50+-year-old vines in Pont de l'Isère. The oak here is simply breathtaking, ranging from gentle cedar and vanilla through to toasted coconut and baking spices, all supported by ripe cherries on a plush, creamy palate that's expansive without being weighty, then finishes long and supple.
Brilliant violet. Pungent, smoke- and spice-accented aromas of fresh boysenberry, olive paste and vanilla show excellent delineation. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, showing very good depth and energy to the dark berry and floral pastille flavors, which are sharpened by a touch of peppery spices. Smoothly blends power and finesse, and finishes impressively long and spicy, featuring repeating dark berry character and fine-grained tannins that come on late.
Wood spice, black cherry, interesting earthy note and something rather animal too – bloody, ferrous. Soft tannin and attractive violet scent on the finish. (RH)