Leon Stolarski Fine Wines
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Online Wine Shop  >  List of wines by grower  >  Domaine La Colombette - Vins de Pays Libron

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Domaine La Colombette
Domaine La Colombette
This estate enjoys a privileged location to the north of Béziers, almost at the entrance to the town, on the slopes that separate the Orb and Libron plains. The vineyards look south towards the Mediterranean and are set out in terraced rows varying in height by 100 metres. It is therefore highly varied geologically and is naturally protected from frost. The estate was founded in the late 19th century by Louis Pugibet and has been in the family ever since. Over the last thirty years, the vineyards have been completely replanted, with - as the current proprietor Francois Pugibet says - "no attention paid to fixed ideas". He planted the first Lledoner Pelut (a rare "cousin" of the Grenache variety) in spring 1968 and, shortly after, Syrah. Sauvignon and Chardonnay were planted in the early 1980’s.

The vineyards are planted with more than 2 metres between the rows and have been gradually increased from 5000 to 8000 vines per hectare. This sort of planting density is now becoming more popular in Languedoc (and other viticultural regions), as it requires the vines to work much harder for their nourishment. Yields per vine are therefore kept naturally low. The total area now under vine is 45 hectares. Red varieties planted on the estate include Cabernet(s) Sauvignon and Franc, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Syrah and Lledoner Pelut. Whites include Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Riesling. New, ultra-modern cellars were built during summer 2002.

Francois and Vincent Pugibet, in the La Colombette vineyards
Latterly, Francois and his son Vincent have introduced yet more innovations - notably, the use of an "osmoser", which removes a certain proportion of the alcohol from some of the wines (the same process- though in reverse - that many Bordeaux chateaux use to remove excess water, in more "dilute" years). And the resulting wines are a revelation - if anything, the flavours are heightened by the careful reduction in the alcohol levels. Of course, most of the wines in the La Colombette range are produced with more traditional alcohol levels (though rarely exceeding 13.5% abv). The wines are of consistently very high quality, with many being aged in large (600 litre) oak demi-muids for up to 1 year. In his book "Languedoc-Roussillon - The Wines and Winemakers", Paul Strang says of the wines; "There is no wine here which deserves less than 3 stars............ There are plenty of affordable wines from this property, and they are of the highest quality; even the star Lledoner Pelut and the Pinot Noir are worth double the price that is asked for them." High praise indeed, especially as he rates wines using a 3 star system!
Domaine La Colombette Sauvignon 2007 Vin de Pays des Coteaux de Libron
La Colombette Sauvignon 2007 table
Vintage
 2007
Region Coteaux du Libron, just north of Béziers
Colour/Style Dry white, light/medium bodied
Grapes 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol (a.b.v)
 11.5%
Food On its own or with shellfish, light fish dishes or salads
Next day
Still really good
Drink Over the next 2 years
Ultra pale straw robe, with a watery rim. Aromas of freshly cut grass, elderflowers and pea pod. The palate offers flavours of lemon and apple, along with hints of more exotic fruits, herbs and a hint of ginger. Bone dry, with refreshing, zingy acidity and a nice long finish.
 
Price:  £7.85 (Including: VAT at 15%)

Quantity:

Domaine La Colombette Muscat Sec 2007 Vin de Pays des Coteaux de Libron
La Colombette Muscat Sec 2007 table
Vintage
 2007
Region Coteaux du Libron, just north of Béziers
Colour/Style Dry white, light/medium bodied
Grapes 100% Muscat
Alcohol (a.b.v)
 11.5%
Food Perfect for light fish dishes, chicken, salads or aperitif
Next day
Still really good
Drink Over the next 1 or 2 years
Pale-ish straw/gold colour. Delightfully grapey and floral aromas, with background notes of herbs and fennel. The palate is almost bone dry, with hardly a hint of residual sugar. And yet amongst the zesty, mineral and citrus flavours, there is indeed a distinct grapiness, along with a hint of mandarin orange. A very refreshing and beautifully crafted wine, perfect as an aperitif whilst also very food friendly.
 
Price:  £7.85 (Including: VAT at 15%)

Quantity:

Domaine La Colombette Chardonnay Demi-muid 2006 Vin de Pays des Coteaux de Libron
Domaine La Colombette Chardonnay Demi-muid 2006 table
Vintage
 2006
Region Coteaux du Libron, just north of Béziers
Colour/Style Dry white, medium bodied, aged in oak for 12 months
Grapes 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol (a.b.v)
 12.5%
Food Fish, chicken, pork
Next day
As good, perhaps even better
Drink Over the next 3 to 5 years
Aged for 12 months in large 600 litre barrels ("demi-muids"). A clear, bright yellow/gold colour, with an elegant, expansive nose of white peach, lemon, exotic fruits and a touch of oak vanillin. Quite a rich mouthfeel, offering an array of citrus and white fruit flavours, minerals and beautifully judged oak. The fruit is so beautifully fresh and pure and the oak merely adds complexity and richness, without getting in the way. It possesses wonderful structure and length and is reminiscent of a fine Meursault, with a nod towards the new world. A superb wine, and the finest Chardonnay I have tasted from this region. Now sealed under Stelvin screwcap..
 
Price:  £13.75 (Including: VAT at 15%)

Quantity:

Domaine La Colombette Grenache Rosé 2007 Vin de Pays des Coteaux de Libron
La Colombette Grenache Rosé 2007 table
Vintage
 2007
Region Coteaux du Libron, just north of Béziers
Colour/Style Dry rosé - light/medium bodied
Grapes 100% Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)
 11.5%
Food Mixed salads, light fish dishes, or just on its own
Next day
Still good
Drink Now or over the next year - drink whilst young and fresh
A lovely pale salmon pink colour, with aromas and flavours of strawberries and raspberries, with a creamy mouth-feel and great balance.
 
Price:  £6.85 (Including: VAT at 15%)

Quantity:

Domaine La Colombette Grenache-Syrah Puech d'Hortes 2007 Vin de Pays des Coteaux du Libron
La Colombette Grenache Syrah Puech d'Hortes 2007
Vintage
 2007
 Image to follow
Region Coteaux du Libron, just north of Béziers
Colour/Style Red, medium bodied
Grapes A blend of Grenache and Syrah
Alcohol (a.b.v)
 12.0%
Food Barbequed or grilled red meat, pizza, pasta
Next day
Best drunk on the same night
Drink Over the next 2 or 3 years
Youthful red/purple colour. As with many of the reds from this grower, there is a herby/spicy quality to the fruit, which simply leaps ut of the glass. Soft and extremely more-ish, with flavours of blackcurrants and cherries, notes of root ginger and chocolate, soft tannins and a gorgeous lick of acidity. Lovely wine, which belies its price tag.
 
Price:  £6.85 (Including: VAT at 15%)

Quantity:

Domaine La Colombette Pinot Noir Demi-muid 2005 Vin de Pays des Coteaux du Libron
Domaine La Colombette Pinot Noir 2005 table
Vintage
 2005
 La Colombette Pinot 2003
Region Coteaux du Libron, just north of Béziers
Colour/Style Red, medium bodied, aged in oak for 12 months
Grapes 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol (a.b.v)
 12.5%
Food White meats, game, steak, pizza
Next day
As good
Drink Over the next 3 to 5 years
Cherry red core, fading to a pink rim, with a complex, perfumed, red fruit and farmyard nose. The palate displays cherry skins and strawberry jam with a hint of bitter chocolate and allspice. Wonderfully balanced and expressive, combining the attributes of a Village Burgundy with the richer, new world style. The more you taste it, the better it gets. Lovely stuff, at a very reasonable price.
 
Price:  £8.25 (Including: VAT at 15%)

Quantity:

Domaine La Colombette Lledoner Pelut Demi-muid 2004 Vin de Pays des Coteaux du Libron
Domaine La Colombette Lledoner Pelut 2004 table
Vintage
 2004
Region Coteaux du Libron, just north of Béziers
Colour/Style Medium bodied red, aged in oak demi-muids for 1 year
Grapes 100% Lledoner Pelut
Alcohol (a.b.v)
 13.5%
Food Red meat, game, cassoulet, stew, chicken, cheese
Next day
As good, or even better
Drink Over the next 3 to 5 years - possibly more
Medium ruby/purple core, fading gently to a pink rim. Lledoner is a "hairy-leafed" close relative of the Grenache variety. Some say it is one and the same, but this one is more elegant and refined than any Grenache you will have tasted. Bright, ruby red with a bouquet of strawberries, cherries and raspberries, mixed with the scents of the garrigue. Flavours of sweet and sour cherries, with notes of raspberry and vanilla and mouth-watering acidity. A wine of great elegance and finesse - dare I say, with an almost Burgundian character. Brilliant stuff and even better than the 2003.
 
Price:  £13.75 (Including: VAT at 15%)

Quantity:

Mailing list
Our list is constantly evolving, so if you would like to receive our occasional e-mail newsletter (around 8 times per year) click the logo >>>>


Page footer - delivery information and under 18 warning
Minimum order value, delivery charges and times
The minimum order value is £50 (plus the delivery charge). You may of course choose a mix of any wines in our range. Orders between £50 and £175: delivery charge is £6. Orders over £175: delivery is free! (If your order is over £175, please remember to change the delivery charge in checkout to £0.00). Please note: Delivery to non-mainland addresses (Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, etc.) is usually possible, but may not be on a next-working-day basis. It is also more expensive than delivery to mainland addresses, so will be charged at cost (for orders under £175) but with a small discount for orders over £175 - please call us for a quote.
Warning - you must be aged 18 or over
It is an offence to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol if you are under the age of 18. (Section 149 Licensing Act 2003). We reserve the right to seek proof of age. Leon Stolarski says "drink less, but drink better!" Please consume alcohol in moderation.