CWD: '99 Combier Clos des Grives Crozes

D

drssouth

Stephen South
With Lamb Kebab's

1999 Domaine Combier "Clos des Grives" Crozes-Hermitage, alc 13%, $28: Smoky, meaty nose...the smoked meat concept continues on the palate with leather, sweetness and a bit of iron...tannins have receded...drinking quite well...a nice complement to the lamb... Not quite as opulent as the '01...more "old school"...drink now or wait 5 or more years..
 
I'm a latecomer to Combier's work, having been introduced to his wines (and Combier himself) at Hospice du Rhne a couple of years ago. I loved the freshness of his 2005 Crozes-Hermitage and picked up a couple of bottles of the 2004 Clos des Grives. They now reside in an unmarked box somewhere in a storage locker and I am hopeful that they'll be ready whenever I happen to stumble upon them in a couple of years. I suppose that it's the anti-cellar tracker wine storage method, but it results in bottles aging longer than I'd intended (rouges et blancs) and I'm very happy with the results. Wines stacked here at the house tend to be consumed too young, but the stuff that gets stuffed into boxes and sent away lives to a ripe old age and usually tastes better for it.

-Eden (IIRC, the 04 Clos des Grives was hovering at an alcohol level somewhat higher than 13%)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top