Jean Luc Colombo Cotes du Rhone Les Abeilles

Jean-Luc Colombo Côtes du Rhône Les Abeilles Rouge is a Southern Rhône red blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre at approximately 14% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. Sourced from vines at least 25 years old, this cuvée earned 87 points from Wine Spectator on the 2023 vintage and a Silver medal at the International Wine Challenge for the 2010 vintage. The name "Les Abeilles" — French for "The Bees" — reflects the producer's commitment to bee conservation, with a portion of every bottle sold supporting honey bee research at UC Davis.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14%  |  Origin: Southern Rhône Valley, France  |  Appellation: Côtes du Rhône AOC  |  Producer: Jean-Luc Colombo

Production & Heritage

Jean-Luc Colombo is a respected winemaker and négociant based in Cornas in the Northern Rhône, though Les Abeilles draws its fruit from the broader Southern Rhône appellation. The blend follows the classic Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre template that defines the region, with fruit harvested from mature vines averaging at least a quarter century in age — lending concentration and depth beyond what younger plantings typically deliver. Colombo, trained as a pharmacist before turning to wine, has been a driving force in modernizing Rhône winemaking since the 1980s, and Les Abeilles represents his most accessible Southern Rhône expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Lavender and dried herbs lead, followed by ripe dark cherry and clove. A subtle thread of smoke and resinous warmth develops as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is soft and round, with juicy red cherry and raspberry giving way to cocoa and fennel seed at mid-palate. Bay leaf and a gentle peppery spice add complexity, while orange peel and licorice notes emerge toward the peak, building layered interest without heaviness.

Finish: Medium in length, dry, and supple with lingering notes of dark cherry, dried herbs, and a faint mineral edge. The tannins are polished and unobtrusive, leaving a clean, slightly smoky impression.

How to Drink Les Abeilles

This wine drinks well at a light cellar chill — around 60–64°F — and benefits from 15 to 20 minutes of air before serving. A brief decant opens up the floral aromatics further.

• Neat with food: The silky, medium-bodied frame makes this an ideal dinner red that won't overpower a table.
• Summer red, slightly chilled: The fresh berry character and moderate weight hold up well at cooler temperatures for warm-weather drinking.
• Red wine sangria: The cherry-raspberry core and spice notes form a natural base for citrus and herb additions.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners when you want a reliable step above basic table wine
• Introducing someone to Southern Rhône blends without overwhelming tannin
• Pairing with rustic Mediterranean cooking
• Gifting to a wine lover who values sustainable, purpose-driven producers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Les Abeilles taste like? Les Abeilles delivers juicy red and dark cherry with lavender, dried herbs, and a dusting of cocoa, framed by soft tannins and a peppery lift. The overall impression is round, fresh, and medium-bodied.

How does Les Abeilles compare to E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rouge? Both are GSM-based Côtes du Rhône reds at a similar price tier, but Les Abeilles tends toward a more floral, lavender-driven profile with softer tannins, while Guigal's version typically shows darker fruit and a slightly more structured grip. Les Abeilles also carries a charitable component supporting bee research, adding a point of differentiation beyond the glass.

Is Les Abeilles good for sipping on its own? Yes — its supple tannins, balanced acidity, and fragrant aromatics make it approachable enough to enjoy without food, especially with a slight chill.

Where is Les Abeilles made? Les Abeilles is produced by Jean-Luc Colombo, a winemaker based in Cornas in the Northern Rhône Valley, France, using fruit sourced from the Southern Rhône's Côtes du Rhône AOC appellation.

What foods pair well with Les Abeilles? Roasted lamb with herbs of Provence complements the wine's lavender and garrigue character. Ratatouille mirrors its Southern French origins. Grilled sausages match the peppery spice, while aged Gruyère or Comté echoes the wine's subtle cocoa and mineral notes. Pizza with roasted vegetables and olives also pairs naturally.

What sizes does Les Abeilles come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available size.

Is Les Abeilles worth the price? Les Abeilles positions as an accessible, everyday-to-mid-range Côtes du Rhône that punches above its weight thanks to 25-year-old vine fruit and a polished winemaking hand. At its price tier, the Wine Spectator 87-point score and International Wine Challenge medals suggest consistent quality and solid value within the appellation.

Why Les Abeilles?

What separates this wine from the crowded Côtes du Rhône field is the combination of old-vine sourcing — a minimum of 25 years — and Jean-Luc Colombo's exacting approach to blending, honed over decades of work in the demanding terroir of Cornas. The charitable tie to UC Davis honey bee research adds genuine substance to the bee motif rather than treating it as mere label art. Consistent critical recognition across multiple vintages, including an 87-point Wine Spectator rating and International Wine Challenge medals, confirms that Les Abeilles delivers reliable Southern Rhône character vintage after vintage. For drinkers seeking an expressive, food-friendly Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre blend with a meaningful story behind it, this cuvée earns its place on the table.