🍷 Domaine du Colombier Hermitage Rouge 2022 – Rhône Valley, France
📝 Tasting Notes
Domaine du Colombier Hermitage Rouge 2022 is a strikingly elegant yet structured expression of Syrah from one of the Rhône Valley's most revered appellations: Hermitage. Sourced from one of only 15 producers in this legendary hilltop AOC, this wine is a masterclass in terroir, intensity, and age-worthy complexity.
The aromatic profile is vivid and layered—blackberry compote, black cherry, violet, blood orange, and smoked meat are beautifully interwoven with savory hints of graphite, leather, and cracked pepper. Aged for 18 months in French oak demi-muids (30% new), the palate is full-bodied and deep, offering a plush mouthfeel supported by ripe yet firm tannins and vibrant acidity.
There’s a graceful tension between power and elegance, with a long, mineral-driven finish that lingers with notes of spice, cedar, and licorice. As it opens, the wine reveals increasing finesse and harmony—showcasing the balance that has made Hermitage synonymous with the world’s finest Syrah.
Whether you’re a Rhône enthusiast or discovering Hermitage for the first time, Domaine du Colombier’s 2022 Hermitage Rouge offers exceptional aging potential and immense pleasure in the glass today.
🏅 Critic Reviews & Accolades
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95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Ripe red and black fruits, crushed stone, leather, and smoky graphite notes… layered, concentrated, with plenty of tannins and a great finish.”
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94 Points – Vinous
“Full-bodied and energetic… blood orange, rosewater, black cherry, cedar and licorice. Complex, fresh, and persistent.”
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93 Points – Decanter
“Elegant and powerful with violet, blackberry, and smoked meat aromas leading to a mineral-driven finish.”
🍇 Producer Notes
Brothers Florent and David Viale farm 17 hectares of top-tier vineyards in Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage, previously supplying their exceptional fruit to Rhône icons like Guigal and Ogier. Since the 1990s, they’ve bottled under their own label—earning admiration for their restrained use of new oak, and their ability to let vineyard expression shine through.
Their winemaking philosophy centers around balance, finesse, and terroir transparency, which is clearly evident in this brilliant 2022 vintage.
📦 Wine Details
Producer: Domaine du Colombier
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Vintage: 2022
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Region: Rhône Valley, France
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Appellation: Hermitage AOC
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Grapes: 100% Syrah
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Farming: Sustainable
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Aging: 18 months in French oak demi-muids (30% new)
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Alcohol: Approx. 14%
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Drinking Window: Now – 2040
🍽️ Food Pairing Suggestions
- Herb-crusted rack of lamb
- Grilled duck breast with cherry compote
- Venison with blackberry jus
- Wild mushroom risotto
- Aged Comté or Tomme de Savoie cheese
📈 Cellaring Potential
Enjoy now with decanting, or confidently cellar for 10–15 years to watch it evolve into an even more nuanced and elegant Rhône masterpiece.
