Domaine la Combe Blanche (France) Four a Chaux de la Combe 2000
I 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 Rhone’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. £8.75.
