2017 Martin Clerc Condrieu, France, Rhone, Wine Review

This is a relatively new producer of Rhone wines. The estate began back in the early 90's but Martin took over in 2013 after completing wine school. Medium gold in color. The nose is perfumed with floral notes, minerals and wax. With air, some apricots emerge. On the palate, this has a slightly oily texture. Flavors of hay and citrus on the palate. Light acidity. This should go well with sea foods and vegetarian dishes. It went quite well with a Mushroom pasta. I don't think it will make old bones and would recommend drinking up in the next few years at most. The freshness and the aromatics are the star of the show right now.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2017

Current Price:

$60.00USD

America's Best Rhone Style White Wines: 11th Annual Rhone Rangers Tasting Reviewed

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Like many lovers of Rhone style wines from America, we have just returned from the 2008 edition of the annual Rhone Rangers tasting event at Fort Mason in San Francisco (March 18). This was the 11th year that the Rhone Rangers , a group of about 200 American producers of wines using 22 varietals traditional to France’s Rhone Valley, have shown off their wines at this public tasting event. This year, about 138 wineries presented approximately 520 wines. During the tasting, we enthusiastically tasted as many wines as we could within the 5 hours (3 public and 2 trade/media) the event was open. We tasted 30 white wines first, and then we tasted 50 reds. We skipped the rosés, not because we don’t love them, but because we didn’t have time. Kudos to Rhone Rangers for providing eco-friendly paper spit cups instead of the plastic cups so common at other tastings. We divided our attention between wines and producers we have known previously, producers new to us, and specific bottlings we didn’t already know. While we found many wines to admire, we are sure we missed other gems.

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2018 Xavier Gerard Condrieu Côte Chatillon, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$61.00USD

Very nice expression of a northern Rhone Viognier. Deep golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is perfumed with floral notes as well as peach, slight hay, and slight golden raisin. Full bodied. Viscous, slightly oily texture. On the palate, some waxiness with some pear, slight orange and just a hint of floral notes. Good acidity. Dry. Long finish. This probably should be drunk in the next few years to enjoy the freshness. Nice on its own, this would work well with lighter foods but would be nice s well with lobster.

Viognier for Spring

I realized that I was in a red wine rut a few years ago and made a practice to try unfamiliar white wines at tastings. I quickly discovered Viognier, a medium bodied white wine, perfumed with apricots, peaches and white flowers. This stuff is amazing - delicate, yet heady; I can sit for hours just enjoying the aroma. The taste is a revelation – the silky smooth texture hits first, then the fruit and flowers explode. It’s quite wonderful.

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2019 E. Guigal Condrieu, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$55.00USD

This is the basic Condrieu (they also make a higher end called La Doriane). It is made from 100% Viognier grapes. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with floral qualities along with some vanilla and spice. With air, apricots emerge along with a bit of peach. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, the apricots and spice come thru. A bit of a bitter ginger note on the finish. This needs a bit of cellaring, maybe two or three years, and then should drink well for five to eight more years. Very nice on its own, this will work better with food. Shellfish would be a nice

2017 Les Vins de Vienne Condrieu La Chambée, USA, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

A-

This is a bigger version of Condrieu than the more floral versions. It sees 9 months of French Oak sitting on its lees. 100% Viognier. The nose has vanilla, citrus and lemon verbena. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is slightly sweet. Light tannins. Slight almond notes. Moderate acidity. Nice finish. Does bigger equate to more serious? Not necessarily, but this is drinking quite well at age 5 and should continue to drink well for another five to eight years. This will work well with Foie Gras for those who eat that but also pasta prima vera.

2017 Martin Clerc Condrieu, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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