Winemaker Notes
An archetypal fruity wine, with aromas of white peach, apricot and almonds. This is an elegant, extremely harmonious wine with great freshness, best enjoyed young.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Starting with the 2020 Condrieu Les Terrasses De L'Empire, this is a rich, opulent Condrieu sourced from younger vines (which aren’t that young, averaging 30 years in age) and is vinified in wooded tanks and older Bordeaux barrels. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, and elegant, it has good acidity, classic peach, spice, and obvious minerality, and a great finish. A terrific Condrieu ideal for drinking over the coming 4-5 years, it’s also a great introduction to the style of this estate.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Bottled in June 2021, a bit earlier than usual, the 2020 Condrieu les Terrasses de l'Empire is another terrific entry-level Condrieu. Floral up front, plump and frankly delicious, it delivers plenty of ripe pineapple and apricot flavors, ample weight and richness on the palate and a long finish tinged with hints of fresh ginger and cracked pepper.
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.