Jean-Luc Colombo, Les Lauves, Saint Joseph, Rhône, 2010

Tasting: Saint Joseph 2010

Hefty nose; a bit reduced and tarry. Rich, full-bodied and weighty, but the acidity is rather low and this comes across as heavy-handed and too solid. It lacks freshness and vigour, and has a chocolaty finish. Medium length.

Tasting: Saint Joseph 2010

Hints of essence of cassis and lavender, with dark chocolate and laurel in support, lead to an equally complex palate. Structured, rich and quite heady; a flamboyant and fairly modern example, its generously extracted fruit carefully balanced with the oak and the ensemble harmoniously balanced with rococo self-belief.

Tasting: Saint Joseph 2010

Tea, ground coffee airs, in with a stiff black fruit. The palate, like the nose, shows fruit that has a strain of edginess in it, unresolved acidity as yet. There is a note of toasting, an arid feel to the fruit, although the flavour persists with a mix of tea and baked fruit. Modern, not greatly fresh. Not yet orderly, can improve.