Wine Advisor
Domaine du Colombier, Hermitage Rouge 2005
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
The 2005 Hermitage has a stern edge to its tannins even now. Leather and roasted red berries appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is clearly concentrated and ripe, just also firm, with wooly tannins on the lingering finish.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Like other 2005's from Domaine Colombier the nose is very subdued (possibly because of the low depression system that seems to be centred upon our tasting!) Undergrowth, earth and a touch of black truffle. The palate is quite spicy, full-bodied with well-knit tannins and blackberry leaf, leather. Quite stern and masculine on the very dry finish. Impenetrable now so leave for five years, though that dry finish is a little worrying. Tasted November 2006. Drinking 2011-2018.
About the Producer
The continuing elevation of this Domaine into the lofty heights of Hermitage greatness is testament to the hard work of the tall, spindly owner Florent Viale. He gives his wines a prolonged maturation of a year and a half which he believes removes the need for filtration and prefers using oak tonneaux for this process rather than the smaller 225 litre barriques so as not to dampen terroir and fruit. As a result, both the Cuvée Gaby and Hermitage are powerful and wholesome but not without a touch of class. The latter wine comes from several parcels on the hill of Hermitages including Les Bessards. The grapes are destalked and Florent never uses more than 20% new oak. The wines are therefore a surprisingly elegant example of Hermitages.
