Georges Vernay Condrieu Les Terrasses de L'Empire 2019

  • 92 Robert
    Parker
104 99
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Georges Vernay Condrieu Les Terrasses de L'Empire 2019  Front Bottle Shot
Georges Vernay Condrieu Les Terrasses de L'Empire 2019  Front Bottle Shot Georges Vernay Condrieu Les Terrasses de L'Empire 2019  Front Label

Product Details


Varietal

Region

Producer

Vintage
2019

Size
750ML

Features
Collectible

Boutique

Green Wine

Your Rating

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Somm Note

Winemaker Notes

Professional Ratings

  • 92

    Marked by a delicate balance of light, pleasant florals, ripe pineapple and apricot, the 2019 Condrieu les Terrasses de l'Empire avoids any sense of heaviness. It's medium to full-bodied, silky textured and fine, with luscious nuances of gingery-peppery spice on the lingering finish. Grown on the upper slopes above Condrieu in the lieux-dits of La Caille and Sainte-Agathe, the soils are biotite granite, with fermentation and aging in oak vats and barrels, without any new wood. Best After 2021

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Georges Vernay

Georges Vernay

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Georges Vernay, France
Georges Vernay Winery Image
Condrieu is the original home of the Viognier grape, having been planted here since the Roman occupation in the third century. In 1940 it was officially made an appellation. In those early days, it was Georges Vernay and his father Francis who were instrumental in guiding the appellation into the future. Francis served as the first treasurer for the Condrieu Growers' Union and it was George who was influential in delimiting the boundaries of the appellation to ensure that only those wines from the vines planted on the steep, granite hillsides could call themselves Condrieu. In 1996, Christine Vernay took over the family domaine after her father Georges retired. Under her watch, the wines have become even more delicate and nuanced. In addition to world class Viognier, she has been crafting some of the top Côte-Rôtie here, and critics have taken notice. In 2013, Christine was given the prestigious award of "Winemaker of the Year" by Bettane & Dessauve.

A pioneer in the renewal of the Condrieu appellation, Domaine Georges Vernay has always made wines of unique style, notable for their finesse, elegance and harmony. The property has become a major emblem of Rhone Valley winegrowing, from the time when Georges Vernay saved the Condrieu appellation to the international awards earned by Christine Vernay’s Côte-Rôtie. Three generations have left the mark of the philosophy on the estate, while perpetuating its traditions in the greatest respect for both vines and winegrowers.

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Full-figured and charmingly floral, Viognier is one of the most important white grapes of the northern Rhône where it is used both to produce single varietal wines and as an important blending grape. Look for great New World examples from California, Oregon, Washington and cooler parts of Australia. Somm Secret—Viognier plays a surprisingly important role in the red wines of Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône. About 5% Viognier is typically co-fermented with the Syrah in order to stabilize the color, and as an added benefit, add a subtle perfume.

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Condrieu Wine

Rhone, France

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As the source of some of the most vibrant and powerful white wines in France, Condrieu is uniquely situated in one of the northern outposts of the Rhone River. It is the original Viognier appellation with a wine growing history reaching back well over two thousand years. Like most of the wine regions of the Northern Rhone, Condrieu’s vines grow on extremely steep and narrow granite terraces. But what makes the region unique is a topsoil, locally called, “arzelle,” made of decomposed mica. This and a sheltering of the harsh northern winds, make optimal sites to produce opulent and brilliant Viognier. It is a tiny zone with no room for expansion and produces miniscule amounts of wine each year, contributing to its allure.

A fine Condrieu will have aromas and flavors suggestive of ripe stone fruit, lime peel, green almond, ginger, white flowers and toasted nuts. A honeyed smell may mislead you to think the wine will be sweet but the modern style favors totally dry on the palate. Its texture will be full and soft but a touch of mineral will provide great balance.

SWS527927_2019 Item# 855603

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