Jean Luc Colombo Syrah La Violette

Jean Luc Colombo Syrah La Violette is a 100% Syrah from IGP Pays d'Oc in Languedoc, France, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Named for its signature crushed violet aromatics, this wine comes from one of the Rhône Valley's most dedicated Syrah specialists — a producer rooted in Cornas who applies that Northern Rhône sensibility to a Southern French appellation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: IGP Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France  |  100% Syrah  |  Producer: Jean-Luc Colombo (Cornas)

Production & Heritage

Jean-Luc Colombo is a winemaker and oenologist based in the village of Cornas in the Northern Rhône Valley, a region historically celebrated for powerful, age-worthy Syrah. While the estate's prestige cuvées come from Cornas itself, La Violette draws from vineyards in the broader IGP Pays d'Oc designation in Languedoc, leveraging the warmer Mediterranean climate to produce ripe, fruit-forward Syrah at an accessible level. The wine is crafted as a pure varietal expression, designed to showcase the grape's characteristic floral and peppery personality without the complexity — or the price — of Northern Rhône bottlings.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: True to its name, crushed violets lead the nose, followed by plum, game, and a thread of smoke. Secondary notes of meat and earth emerge with time in the glass, lending a savory dimension typical of well-made Syrah.

Taste: The palate opens juicy and crisp, with a core of cherry and small red berries — strawberry in particular. Mid-palate, subtle black pepper and a hint of black licorice add spice, while moderate tannins provide enough structure to keep the wine from feeling lightweight. Acidity is bright and well-integrated.

Finish: Medium in length, with cherry and peppery spice persisting through the close. The tannins taper cleanly, leaving a dry, earthy impression without bitterness.

How to Drink La Violette

Serve at cool room temperature, around 60–65°F (16–18°C), to keep the floral aromatics lifted. A brief 15-minute decant can help open up the savory, meaty undertones. This Syrah's versatility extends to cocktails and mixed drinks as well: try it in a classic Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) for a casual summer gathering; use it as the base for a red wine spritzer with sparkling water and a twist of orange, where the violet aromatics add interest; or build a Sangria with stone fruits, brandy, and a cinnamon stick — the wine's peppery backbone holds up well against the sweetness.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners when you want a characterful red without the premium price
• Introducing someone to the Syrah grape through an approachable, textbook example
• Casual entertaining — grilled meats, charcuterie boards, or pizza night
• Building a mixed case of French regional wines for everyday drinking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Violette taste like? La Violette delivers juicy cherry and red berry fruit with a distinct crushed violet perfume, accented by black pepper, a hint of smoke, and moderate tannins that give it a dry, food-friendly finish.

How does La Violette compare to Guigal Côtes du Rhône? Both are affordable French Syrah-based reds, but La Violette is a 100% varietal Syrah from Languedoc, while Guigal Côtes du Rhône is typically a Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre blend from the Southern Rhône. La Violette tends to emphasize floral and peppery Syrah character, whereas Guigal leans toward richer, rounder red fruit from its Grenache component.

Is La Violette good for beginners? Yes — its approachable fruit, moderate tannins, and textbook Syrah aromatics make it an excellent entry point for anyone exploring the grape or French wine in general.

Where is La Violette made? The wine is produced by Jean-Luc Colombo, an oenologist and winemaker headquartered in Cornas in the Northern Rhône Valley of France. La Violette's fruit comes from the IGP Pays d'Oc appellation in Languedoc, Southern France.

What foods pair well with La Violette? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's peppery spice. Charcuterie and cured meats echo its savory, meaty aromatics. Roasted eggplant or ratatouille complement the earthy, herbal notes. Aged Gouda or Comté cheese match the moderate tannin structure. Herb-crusted pork tenderloin pairs well with the wine's red berry fruit and violet perfume.

What sizes does La Violette come in? Jean-Luc Colombo Syrah La Violette is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is La Violette worth the price? La Violette positions as a value-tier French Syrah that punches above its weight — delivering varietal accuracy and genuine Rhône-influenced character at a price point well below Northern Rhône appellations like Cornas, Côte-Rôtie, or Saint-Joseph.

Why La Violette?

What separates this wine from the crowd of sub-$20 Southern French reds is its pedigree. Jean-Luc Colombo built his reputation in Cornas — one of the most demanding and respected Syrah-producing communes in the world — and that expertise clearly informs even his Languedoc bottlings. La Violette delivers a clean, honest expression of Syrah's core identity: violet perfume, peppery spice, and dark fruit, without oak or extraction masking the grape. For drinkers who want to understand what Syrah tastes like in its pure form, without investing in a $40-plus Northern Rhône bottle, this is one of the most reliable options in the category.