The wines of Gian Luca Colombo, Piemonte, Italy
Website: https://gianlucacolombovini.it/en/
Gian Luca Colombo is well known as a leading consultant in Piemonte, but he also has his own winery, and the wines are really exciting, made in what’s best described as a neo-classical approach: not modernist, but not traditionalist. These wines are represented by Swig in the UK, and they are well worth checking out. Thank you Nelson Pari for introducing these to me!
Gian Luca Colombo Verduno Pelaverga 2022 Piemonte, Italy
13.5% alcohol. This lighter-coloured red is packed full of fresh, crunchy cranberry and raspberry fruit, with some delicate green herbal hints in the background. It’s just so focused and energetic, showing good acidity and a bit of structure, and then right at the end some subtle tar alongside some shy floral notes. Tending towards elegance and also austerity, but also offering some pleasure, it’s highly food compatible but you can drink it on its own, also. Really interesting. 95/100 (£35 Good Wine Shop, Swig, Shrine to the Vine, Cambridge Wine Merchants)
Gian Luca Colombo Verduno Pelaverga 2023 Piemonte, Italy
Made in Tava clay/ceramic vessels. Wonderfully peppery nose with raspberries and nice green hints. So much focus and energy on the palate: bright with nice green hints and focused redcurrant notes as well as some raspberry. So distinctive. 94/100
Gian Luca Pinot Nero 2022 Colombo Piemonte, Italy
This is from Ravera, but it’s a cool plot so he planted Pinot Nero here. So supple and fine with bright acidity and almost tart red cherry fruit, with fine spices and chalky minerality. Pure and fine with great energy. 94/100
Gian Luca Colombo Barbera d’Alba 2022 Piemonte, Italy
Supple with nice green hints. So lively and bright with cherries and raspberries, showing purity and amazing energy for a Barbera. Fresh, tart, juicy and fine. 94/100
Gian Luca Colombo Langhe Nebbiolo 2022 Piemonte, Italy
Nice energy here, again. Bright and linear with juicy redcurrant and raspberry fruit with a hint of aniseed. Good structure under the vibrant fruit. Very fine. 94/100
Gian Luca Colombo Barolo 2020 Piemonte, Italy
Neoclassical in style. Floral and expressive with red cherries, plums and a touch of liquorice. There’s also some spicy warmth. Elegant, pure and fine with nice weight and spiciness. Finishes grippy with a lovely flourish. 95/100
UK agent Swig
