Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Starting with the 2016 Condrieu, this is a classic, clean, medium to full-bodied effort offering loads of buttered citrus, marmalade, white flowers, and brioche aromas and flavors. It was brought up two-thirds in barrel and the rest in tank, and shows how great this vintage is for Condrieu.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Aged half in tank and half in barrel, Pichon's 2016 Condrieu is a textbook example of the appellation. Melon and apricot notes abound in this medium to full-bodied white, which features a juicy succulence balanced by soft, layered tannins on the 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.