Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2020

The Jean Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2020 is a refreshing, expressive white wine that captures the vibrancy of the Southern Rhône. A blend of 80% Clairette and 20% Roussanne, it opens with a pale straw color accented by subtle green reflections, hinting at its youthful brightness. On the nose, the wine is fragrant and floral, offering delicate aromas of white peach, honeysuckle, citrus blossom, and green apple, with faint hints of wild herbs like fennel and thyme that reflect its Provençal roots. On the palate, Les Abeilles Blanc is clean and crisp, marked by lively acidity that keeps the fruit flavors fresh and energetic. Stone fruit flavors like peach and pear dominate early, followed by zesty notes of lemon peel and grapefruit, adding a tangy lift. The Roussanne adds a touch of textural richness and roundness, contributing nuanced flavors of chamomile, almond, and a subtle honeyed quality that give the wine an elegant balance. There's also a mineral streak that provides structure and an echo of the Rhône Valley's limestone-rich soils. The finish is long and refreshing, with lingering notes of citrus zest, saline minerality, and white flowers, making it a charming and versatile white wine. Lightly chilled, it’s an ideal apéritif but also has enough body and complexity to pair with a wide variety of foods. Les Abeilles Blanc 2020 showcases Jean Luc Colombo’s signature style—vibrant, approachable, and terroir-driven—perfect for casual sipping or thoughtful food pairings alike. Matured primarily in stainless steel to preserve freshness, this expression is meant to be enjoyed young—best consumed between 2025 and 2026. Best served slightly chilled at 45°–50° F.

The Jean Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Blanc 2020 is a bright, food-friendly Rhône white that pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes thanks to its crisp acidity and layered fruit and floral notes. Its refreshing profile makes it a natural companion to seafood—think grilled shrimp, seared scallops, or lemony pan-roasted trout. The wine’s stone fruit and citrus elements also pair well with Mediterranean fare like herbed chicken, tabbouleh, or roasted vegetables drizzled with olive oil. For a light summer option, serve it alongside a goat cheese salad, or pair with Brie, Camembert, or fresh mozzarella to complement its soft texture and floral tones. The wine’s subtle richness from the Roussanne component also makes it an excellent match for white pasta dishes with garlic and herbs, or a creamy risotto with spring peas and asparagus. Elegant yet approachable, Les Abeilles Blanc enhances a range of savory, herb-accented cuisine.

Jean-Luc Colombo emerged in the Rhône Valley in the 1980s as a transformative figure in modern winemaking. Originally from Marseille with a background in pharmacology and oenology, he and his wife Anne relocated to Cornas in 1984. There, they launched the Centre Oenologique des Côtes du Rhône and began working with local growers, introducing techniques like destemming, extended maceration, and judicious oak aging that modernized the region’s style. Their first estate wine, Cornas “Les Ruchets,” released in 1987, gained acclaim for its powerful, age-worthy Syrah from steep, granite vineyards.

Today, Vins Jean-Luc Colombo spans prestigious appellations like Cornas, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Péray, and Côtes du Rhône, while also producing wines from Languedoc, Provence, and Côte Bleue. The estate became fully certified organic by Ecocert in 2012, with certification effective from the 2015 vintage, reflecting Colombo’s longstanding commitment to sustainable viticulture and biodiversity—especially beekeeping.

Jean-Luc’s philosophy has always centered on respect for the land, native varietals, and expressive, food-friendly wines that reflect a sense of place. His daughter, Laure Colombo, joined the estate in 2010 and continues the family tradition, bringing renewed focus to sustainable farming and modern Rhône expressions.

One of the estate’s most notable values-driven releases is Les Abeilles Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2020 (“abeilles” means bees). This blend of 80% Clairette and 20% Roussanne reflects the Rhône’s white grape traditions and supports bee conservation through the “Bee Helpful” program—where a portion of net profits is donated to UC Davis entomology research.

Sourced from vineyards in the heart of the Southern Rhône—near Cairanne, Rasteau, and Vacqueyras—the grapes are hand-harvested, then fermented at low temperature in stainless steel tanks. Clairette is aged on its lees in tank, while Roussanne spends approximately six months in aged oak barrels to add complexity and texture.