2019 Condrieu Coteaux de Vernon

Lastly, the 2019 Condrieu Coteau De Vernon comes from a steep, southeast-facing hillside of granite soils and is brought up a mix of 15% new barrels and foudres. The foudres were introduced in 2012 and I think contribute to slightly more tension and vibrancy in the wines. Peach, crushed citrus, spicy wood, and crushed stone notes all define the nose, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, wonderful overall balance, integrated acidity, and one hell of a great finish. A reference point Condrieu if there ever was one, it will benefit from a year or two in bottle then have a gradual evolution over the following decade. These can unquestionably age for decades, in fact. Nevertheless, I prefer them from a year or two after the vintage and over the following 4-5 years.

Like the Les Chaillées de l'Enfer, the 2019 Condrieu Coteaux du Vernon spent a year in a mix of foudres and barriques, about 20% of which were new. Marked by attractive, complex notes of narcissus, honey and gingery spice, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and expansive on the palate without going overboard, and it seems to have seamlessly absorbed any oak influence, finishing long, with echoes of citrus and spice.