15% abv, Maxime Gourdain-Petit Fils Drevon, Ampuis, imported by Craig Baker Selection/ MISA Imports Inc., Dallas, TX. Cork closure: natural. Biodynamic calendar: fruit day.
Winemaking notes: “100% Viognier (planted in 1998 and 2017) from two vineyards, a 0.3 ha sandy topped (arzelle) granite soils of some depth on Faugière, and a 0.12 ha sandy topped (arzelle) very shallow granite soils on Le Pialon at St Michel-sur-Rhône. The wine is made with whole bunch pressing, 24-36 hour cool decantation, steel vat fermented at 15°-16°C until specific gravity 1060, then 50% transferred into 3-year-old 228-litre & 2-year -old 400-litre oak casks for 3 months, and 50% transferred into steel vat 3 months, then both parts swapped, oak into vat, vat into oak another 3 months while malolactic fermentation is completed.”
Tasting note: the Condrieu is pale gold in color with a clean nose of medium intensity with aromas of honeysuckle, hawthorn, red apple, caramel and crème brûlée. On the palate this wine is dry with medium+ acid, high alcohol, medium+ body, medium+ flavor intensity and a medium finish with flavors of bergamot, honeysuckle, caramel, vanilla, cream, honeydew, cantaloupe, white peach and mint. Drink now or through 2027, this wine is very good: 9.1/10. Overall, this is a nice Condrieu, albeit a bit heavily-oaked and alcoholic.
