Winemaker Notes
Pale yellow with green reflections, this balanced and expressive white wine has notes of orange blossom, peach, and candied lemon peel with crisp acidity and nice length.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A vivid, energetic and seductive 100% viognier. Aromas of stone fruit, blanched almonds and dried wild herbs on the nose follow through to a medium body with bright acidity. Lively and well driven, with a delicate touch on the palate. Elegant and energetic. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
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Vinous
The refined 2022 Condrieu Les Grands Amandiers is laced with juicy apricot and quince alongside cedar and orange blossom nuances. Medium-bodied and refreshing, the 2022 engages the palate with crisp acidity and concludes with energy on the sapid finish. The absence of malolactic conversion clearly contributes to the wine’s overall freshness.
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Wine Spectator
A subtle, smoky mineral layer simmers underneath yellow apple, peach and aloe in this lean, taut version. Warm hay and buttercream notes add warmth, while loads of fresh and dried herbs bring savory energy to the racy finish.
Full-figured and charmingly floral, Viognier is one of the most important white grapes of the northern Rhône where it is used both to produce single varietal wines and as an important blending grape. Look for great New World examples from California, Oregon, Washington and cooler parts of Australia. Somm Secret—Viognier plays a surprisingly important role in the red wines of Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône. About 5% Viognier is typically co-fermented with the Syrah in order to stabilize the color, and as an added benefit, add a subtle perfume.
As the source of some of the most vibrant and powerful white wines in France, Condrieu is uniquely situated in one of the northern outposts of the Rhone River. It is the original Viognier appellation with a wine growing history reaching back well over two thousand years. Like most of the wine regions of the Northern Rhone, Condrieu’s vines grow on extremely steep and narrow granite terraces. But what makes the region unique is a topsoil, locally called, “arzelle,” made of decomposed mica. This and a sheltering of the harsh northern winds, make optimal sites to produce opulent and brilliant Viognier. It is a tiny zone with no room for expansion and produces miniscule amounts of wine each year, contributing to its allure.
A fine Condrieu will have aromas and flavors suggestive of ripe stone fruit, lime peel, green almond, ginger, white flowers and toasted nuts. A honeyed smell may mislead you to think the wine will be sweet but the modern style favors totally dry on the palate. Its texture will be full and soft but a touch of mineral will provide great balance.