François Villard
Le Grand Vallon Condrieu Viognier
Condrieu, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
Opened and decanted about an hour prior to service and presented double-blind. The wine appears deep yellow nearing gold in color; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is vinous and super floral with peaches and marzipan and some signs of oak, a portion new French oak. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium- acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, weighty with a pronounced oily texture. Alcohol is elevated. I called Marsanne/Roussanne blend from France, Northern Rhône, Hermitage Blanc with 15+ years of age. Close! The florals and elevate alcohol should have steered me to Condrieu but that’s hindsight. Regardless, this was a delicious reminder to allow Northern Rhône whites to age. Drink now.
Opened and decanted about an hour prior to service and presented double-blind. The wine appears deep yellow nearing gold in color; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is vinous and super floral with peaches and marzipan and some signs of oak, a portion new French oak. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium- acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, weighty with a pronounced oily texture. Alcohol is elevated. I called Marsanne/Roussanne blend from France, Northern Rhône, Hermitage Blanc with 15+ years of age. Close! The florals and elevate alcohol should have steered me to Condrieu but that’s hindsight. Regardless, this was a delicious reminder to allow Northern Rhône whites to age. Drink now.
Nov 30th, 2024
Quartz, granite, loess soils. Fermented in oak with native yeast. 14 months elevage in barrel 25% new 75% 3rd and 5th fill.
Terpene driven florality, sweet apricot, Christmas spices (from oak), wet stone. Mouth filling texture. A beautiful example of Condrieu.
Quartz, granite, loess soils. Fermented in oak with native yeast. 14 months elevage in barrel 25% new 75% 3rd and 5th fill.
Terpene driven florality, sweet apricot, Christmas spices (from oak), wet stone. Mouth filling texture. A beautiful example of Condrieu.
Yes 👏 Condrieu 👏 does 👏 age 👏!!
Yes 👏 Condrieu 👏 does 👏 age 👏!!
Jul 15th, 2021
Best Viognier I've tasted. Ever. Not a lot of the typical tropical fruit, but still a lot of floral notes in the nose, and lovely taste of honeysuckle. Beautiful wine.
Best Viognier I've tasted. Ever. Not a lot of the typical tropical fruit, but still a lot of floral notes in the nose, and lovely taste of honeysuckle. Beautiful wine.
2 people found it helpfulOct 15th, 2015
Insanely balanced, and firing on all 12 cylinders. High-wire. Freshness with density, and heady perfumed floral aromatics matched with compelling savory, meaty notes from the variety and noble reduction. A pity I can't afford to drink more of this. You could wait more than a few years to bust into this, but crazy good now.
Insanely balanced, and firing on all 12 cylinders. High-wire. Freshness with density, and heady perfumed floral aromatics matched with compelling savory, meaty notes from the variety and noble reduction. A pity I can't afford to drink more of this. You could wait more than a few years to bust into this, but crazy good now.
1 person found it helpfulNov 23rd, 2014
Still holding up pretty well
Still holding up pretty well
Jul 20th, 2014
Holy shit this is good. Crazy depth and immediate clarity.
Holy shit this is good. Crazy depth and immediate clarity.
Apr 23rd, 2022
Unbelievable. Near perfection, if not perfect, Condrieu. Viognier at its finest. Exemplifies Rhone Condrieu.
Unbelievable. Near perfection, if not perfect, Condrieu. Viognier at its finest. Exemplifies Rhone Condrieu.
Apr 25th, 2020