2006 E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane

Much more oaky from barrel ferment and 8 months in new oak. Exotic oaky spice. Power and depth and breadth but still has just enough freshness. Prefer unoaked but this is impressive because it retains a fresh apricot thread through the oak. (JH)

Yellow-gold. Deep, smoky and ripe on the nose, with powerful peach, ginger and citrus pith aromas. Smoky orchard fruit and citrus flavors are impressively concentrated and complemented by toasty vanillin oak and exotic spices. Finishes long and sappy, with a lingering licorice quality. A fleshy, dense midweight with major fruit concentration, but I imagine that some will be bothered by the oak element.

I loved the 2006 Condrieu la Doriane and this fat, full-bodied and unctuous effort offers exotics notes of caramelized peach, orange marmalade, sappy flowers and a touch of minerality. Like the 2007, it shows some evolution, yet is fresh, lively and pure. Dec 2016, www.robertparker.com