Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Green melon, pear and apricot notes glide along in this textbook version, finishing with a hint of green fig on the broad, creamy finish. An underlying mineral note keeps this fresh. Drink now through 2018.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Citrus blossom, crushed rocks, tangerine and white flowers all emerge from the 2014 Condrieu les Terrasses de L'Empire, which is fresh, lively and pure, yet with straight-up classic Condrieu character. It's easily the most fresh, crisp and lively of the trio.
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James Suckling
Floral, sweet pastry aromas lead to honey and poached stone fruits. The palate has a smooth, nutty texture, which goes well with gently saline flavors of melon, pears and honey. Drink now.
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.