Combier, Crozes-Hermitage Clos des Grives, 2011

The flagship cuvee from one of Crozes-Hermitage's finest producers, in its mature stride. Clos des Grives honors the oldest parcel at Domaine Combier, a 9.5-hectare plot planted in 1952 on a clay-limestone plateau south of Tain l'Hermitage. It's 100% Syrah, hand-harvested, fermented with native yeasts and aged a year in oak, made by Laurent Combier, who converted the estate to organic and then biodynamic farming. The cooler, classic 2011 vintage gave fresh, well-balanced wines, and this bottling proves that Crozes can deliver intensity and ageworthiness, not just easy fruit. Decant before serving.