The fleshy, dense purple-colored 2010 Crozes-Hermitage reveals flowery creme de cassis notes intermixed with hints of underbrush and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied, layered, powerful and moderately tannic, it can be drunk in several years or cellared for up to 15. Domaine du Colombier is one of the most underrated estates in the Northern Rhone. Proprietor Viale merits more attention from wine writers, critics, bloggers, etc. given the quality of wines he is producing. Moreover, this is one of the few family-owned domaines producing Hermitage, not to mention their splendid Crozes-Hermitage. 2010 and 2011 are two more top vintages to add to the brilliant trilogy of 2009s they produced. The values from Colombier are Viale’s cuvees of Crozes-Hermitage, both of which are stunning. Importers: Moonlight Wine Co, NY, NY; Farm Wine, San Francisco, CA,; and Galaxy Wine Co, Portland, OR.