Saint Peray, La Belle de Mai, Jean Luc Colombo, 2021

Saint Peray, La Belle de Mai, Jean-Luc Colombo, Northern Rhône, France, 2021      

Grapes: 60% Roussanne, 40% Marsanne, organic, oak aged

La Belle de Mai means “The Beauty of May” and reflects this spectacular vineyard site planted on terraces of limestone and granite in Saint Péray. Saint Péray is a small, high altitude appellation just south of Cornas. The Roussanne for La Belle de Mai comes from 80 year old vines and is blended with Marsanne in this classic wine. The grapes are harvested manually before the wine is vinified in oak barrels with a slow fermentation, it is then aged on lees with a weekly stirring to extract maximum aromas for six months. It is aged in barrels for 10 to 12 months, depending on the vintage (10% new and the rest in 1 to 5 year old barrels). The wine is certified Organic.

Golden yellow colour with green nuances. A beautiful nose with intense, flattering floral aromas of hawthorn, linden tree and iris, as well as notes of quince and citrus. On the palate the mouth is full, well-balanced between mineral and fruit elements, with beautiful persistence.

Rated 91/100 points, WINE SPECTATOR

Delightful with escargot de Bourgogne (snails), or roasted Bresse chicken. Sublime with a meunière-style sole. To be drunk in its youth or within 5 to 6 years and served chilled to 14°C-15°C