Benchmark Condrieu from the Coteau de Chéry lieu-dit: 100% Viognier combining ripe stone-fruit richness with floral lift and a mineral core; raised in a mix of barrel and tank for texture and length.
The appellation’s historical and finest terroir (once favourite of Emperor Probus) lies on a steep south-facing terraced hillside. Half of the vines were planted between 1987-1989, while the other half was planted in the 1940s. Aged in 2/3 fûts (20% new, 80% 1-4yo) and 1/3 cuve for 15 months
Notes on the producer
André is considered as one of the masters of the Condrieu appellation and the viognier grape.
Succeeding his father he started out in 1982 with a diploma of biology behind him. At this point Condrieu was in decline and the terraces on steep slopes were mainly occupied by fruit-trees. He has gradually increased his holdings and vines he rents to the point where he has 4.58ha of Condrieu, and a larger holding of white and red St Joseph with a little vin de pays too.
He ploughs his soils and uses no systemic treatments unless he is "forced to do so by bad weather". He has worked extremely hard to rehabilitate the famed hillside of Côteau de Chéry and bring this amazing terroir back to fame. Here some of the vines were planted in the 1940s near the village of Condrieu on a steep mica-schist, south-facing slope. His sought after and age-worthy Condrieu bottlings are made in an almost Burgundian style with precision and sensitive use of oak (never more than 65% with the balance in cuve), using a mix of 228 and 300ltr barrels. His wines need a little time and can easily last for 12 years or more – André advises carafeing.
