Domaine Combier - Crozes-Hermitage - Clos des Grives White 2023

Le Clos des Grives Blanc is the wine that took the wine world by surprise—and revealed that Crozes-Hermitage could produce some of the greatest white wines in the northern Rhône. It is the result of Laurent Combier’s personal vision and patience; he spent years selecting and blending the estate’s finest Roussanne plots to create this exceptional cuvée.

Domaine Combier has been practicing organic farming since 1969—one of the absolute pioneers in the Rhône Valley. Le Clos des Grives is the estate’s historic vineyard: 9.5 hectares on the slightly elevated, clay-limestone plateau with rounded pebbles in Pont-de-l’Isère, where the oldest vines were planted in 1952. Of these 9.5 hectares, 2.5 hectares are dedicated to white wine—a bold choice in an appellation dominated by red Syrah. The Roussanne vines are now over 50 years old and produce grapes with a concentration and aromatic complexity that only age can impart.

The estate’s technical sheet sums it up: “Le Clos des Grives is made from 95–100% Roussanne. Conceived by Laurent, it took time to achieve this meticulous selection of Roussanne. Full-bodied yet refined, fragrant and long-finishing, it is quite simply a delicious wine.” The winemaking process is precise and respectful: hand-harvested with selective sorting, fermentation directly in oak barrels—10% of which are new oak—a carefully controlled proportion to add complexity without overpowering the fruit—12 months of aging in barrel, followed by extended aging in the bottle before release.

The 2022 vintage was warm and generous, yielding perfectly healthy and concentrated grapes while retaining a lovely liveliness thanks to the limestone-rich soils. The nose displays remarkable aromatic purity—fresh apricot, ripe pear, nectarine, a delicate floral touch, and notes of honey and fresh almond. The palate is full-bodied and enveloping, supported by a fresh, mineral backbone that perfectly balances the Roussanne’s natural richness. The texture is velvety, and the long finish features the subtle, mouth-watering bitterness characteristic of the limestone terroir with rounded pebbles. La Revue du Vin de France: “Le Clos des Grives is quite simply one of the appellation’s best whites, with beautiful body, notes of yellow fruit, and a finish carried by subtle, mouth-watering bitter notes. Best enjoyed within five years.” Estimated peak in 2032.

Serve between 12 and 14 °C; decant lightly if young. Pairings: premium fish—turbot, John Dory, sole—Breton-style lobster, scallops in cream sauce, refined poultry, veal blanquette, shellfish, soft cheeses.

Also discover Le Clos des Grives red, the premier Crozes-Hermitage red!

Domaine Laurent Combier produces distinctive wines in the Crozes-Hermitage appellation: these organic wines from the Rhône Valley are characterized by great precision and beautiful intensity.

To learn more about this appellation:

• See all organic wines from Crozes-Hermitage
• Discover organic wines from the Rhône Valley
• Explore our selection of organic wines