Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Domaine du Colombier

Established by Gaby Viale in 1939, this 17 hectare estate is today run by his charming son Florent. The vineyard holdings in Crozes-Hermitage are close to the domaine on the eastern side of the hill of Hermitage. Syrah is planted primarily around Mercurol on an alpine soil of clay/sand/gravel over limestone whilst the whites are grown on steeper, poorer soils closer to the hill. The Viale’s are also proud owners of 1.8 hectares of Hermitage vineyard in the lieux-dits of Beaumes, Diognieres and Torras et les Garennes. In the cellar, he likes to ferment using some whole bunches, depending on the parcel and has turned to using 600 litre demi-muids for maturing his more concentrated wines; Gaby and Hermitage whereas the earlier drinking cuvées are aged 50-60% in wood. The white is 80% fermented in tank with 20% in oak.