Community Tasting Note

Sagan99 Likes this wine:

Friday, July 29, 2022 - I'm a longtime fan of the Viognier varietal, even though I've never had Condrieu, which is from the northern, north Rhone. This is more than expected and definitely must be tried.

When I asked for it at my wine store, the gentleman said, "oh, you're looking for "the " red wine drinker's white wine"...
I'm uncertain that is exactly right, but after sipping a glass with a prosciutto adorned cauliflower pizza, it was definitely a keeper!

100% Viognier
14.2% abv

Pale, lemon-gold intensity.
A medium floral nose of honeysuckles and a palate immersion of peach apricot pear pineapple, with a dash of vanilla doused honey.
Mouth puckeringly delicious!
The wine is dry, full bodied, nicely balanced, with a thick buttery mouth feel, and a medium finish, about 30-40 seconds, not surprising with this profile combination.

Definitely will buy more, though there are several Viogniers from California ( Lundquist [ex Qupe`] which are comparable and say a slightly lesser cost.

Viognier is apparently a nice blending grape, but I've found it a little more fruit forward than chardonnay, but most other facets are on par, of course with the right wine.
This is definitely a good one.

I'll give it a 91 for this bottle, and review on the next one, and compare to others in the same category.
I look forward to that!! An awesome sample!

PS- Drink the Rainbow!

RP says...
The gorgeous 2019 Condrieu Cote Chatillon combines lush, tropical ripeness with fresh florals and spice on the nose, while in the mouth, this medium to full-bodied effort is round and expansive, yet remains fresh and vibrant on the cool, refreshing finish.
Enjoy it over the next few years.

Brothers Patrick and Christophe Bonnefond farm 10 hectares of vines split between the north of Côte Rôtie (Côte Rozier and Les Rochins) and the south, around Semons, plus a bit of Condrieu.
All of the reds are 80% destemmed and vinified in stainless steel, then aged 18-20 months in 400-liter barrels. Up to 30% new oak is used, which does leave a mark on the wines.

***and, since this vigneron does only a small amount of Condrieu, with the rest being other red Rhone, I think I'll have to try their Cote Rotie, too!

Post a Comment / View Sagan99's profile
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue (307 views)