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Domaine la Combe Blanche (France) Four à Chaux de la Combe 2000
The general rule is that Wine of the Week is awarded only to wines that are quite widely available. However, now and agian it is nice to give this trophy to a more specialist product. I am half way through sampling a case of southern French
wines from a new specialst company, Leon Stolarski Fine Wines, and have been very impressed by the Domaine la Combe Blanche, who's Minervois reds are delicious and pretty serious (a full report on these wines will follow),
but I plumped for this white wine, which I would recommend you decant into a jug before serving. Leave it for several hours, then pour it back into the bottle to chill before drinking.
When first opened I thought a tasting measure was rather neutral, but after a night in the fridge this wine really started to sing; a blend of the
Rhône's Roussanne and Viognier with a touch of Chardonnay, it is aged in a mix of new and old barriques. The nose opened out to reveal a
honeyed sense of limpidity, with plenty of creamy peach and yellow plum, still with some vanillin, custardy oak on top. The palate is full-bodied and chewy, with rich,
bold fruit flavours suggesting melon and very ripe pears, but with a pineapply, tropical sweet edge. There is a grippy, smoky definition, and lemon acidity lifts and sharpens the finish.
Quite unusal, and very good indeed. Leon Stolarski £8.75.
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