90 Points | The Wine Advocate, Joe Czerwinski
Slightly pungent and tarry, Colombo's 2018 Saint Joseph Les Lauves offers a welcome level of intensity not found in most of the firm's other négociant offerings. Black olives and crushed stone join with hints of leather to leave a firm, savory impression on the medium to full-bodied palate, while the velvety finish delivers ample texture and richness. Nicely done.
Based in Cornas, the Colombo family—headed by Jean-Luc, his wife Anne and increasingly assisted by their daughter Laure—reaches up and down the Rhône and beyond for their négociant bottlings. While I've found some of those efforts to be inconsistent over the years, there's no denying the passion for Cornas that comes through in those wines. The 2018s are all excellent, from the entry-level Terres Brulées to the extravagantly priced, micro-production Vallon de l'Aigle.
