2008 Crozes-Hermitage, Cuvée Gaby, Domaine du Colombier

The Syrah  is fermented in cement, stainless steel and wood, and then matured over eight months in cement and 600 ltr demi-muids for his ‘basic’ ( but far from basic quality) wine, but for twelve months exclusively in the wood for this, the superior Cuvée Gaby. Gaby is the nom de famille of Florent’s maternal grand father, who originally set up the business. The Colombier style emphasises primacy of ripe fruit above all else, but the Gaby cuvee is also firmly structured, with very finely grained tannins. It is this finesse above all which renders the wine, in a cooler vintage such as 2008, extremely approachable and very agreeable in youth.