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2010 CHÂTEAU VESSIÈRE Roussanne-Grenache Blanc Costières de Nîmes
Rhône France
Lovely faintly pink-tinged limpid white, with an appetising lightly floral peach-blossom nose and a palate with enough power but never too much - very easy, interesting wine which finishes well. Concours Générale Agricole Paris - Gold Medal
Rhône France
Lovely faintly pink-tinged limpid white, with an appetising lightly floral peach-blossom nose and a palate with enough power but never too much - very easy, interesting wine which finishes well. Concours Générale Agricole Paris - Gold Medal
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2010 LES HAUTS DE MONTEILLET Blanc Domaine Stéphane Montez
IGP Collines Rhodaniennes Rhône France
A blend of Marsanne, Clairette and Viognier, with a vibrant top-note of Viognier fruit given clarity and lift by Clairette and a bit of power from the Marsanne. Simply delicious.
IGP Collines Rhodaniennes Rhône France
A blend of Marsanne, Clairette and Viognier, with a vibrant top-note of Viognier fruit given clarity and lift by Clairette and a bit of power from the Marsanne. Simply delicious.
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2009 LIRAC Cuvée de la Reine des Bois Blanc Domaine de la Mordorée
Southern Rhône France
This wine is a white like Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc ought to taste, but so rarely does. A very Châteauneuf mixture of six grape varieties, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Picpoul, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Clairette, and Marsanne gives a sappy, spicy, really interesting and satisfying mid-weight mouthful.
Southern Rhône France
This wine is a white like Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc ought to taste, but so rarely does. A very Châteauneuf mixture of six grape varieties, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Picpoul, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Clairette, and Marsanne gives a sappy, spicy, really interesting and satisfying mid-weight mouthful.
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2010 VIOGNIER Les Gendrines Côtes du Rhône Domaine Pierre Gaillard
Northern Rhône France
Pure Viognier (though not stated on the label). Very pure, fresh and bright with positive and fine fruit and a hint of almond stone dryness to the finish. Lovely texture and quite seductive. 'Les Gendrines' is a vineyard just outside the Condrieu district and therefore only rated as a Côtes du Rhône. As the WineGang said of the last vintage, 'this is a class act'.
Northern Rhône France
Pure Viognier (though not stated on the label). Very pure, fresh and bright with positive and fine fruit and a hint of almond stone dryness to the finish. Lovely texture and quite seductive. 'Les Gendrines' is a vineyard just outside the Condrieu district and therefore only rated as a Côtes du Rhône. As the WineGang said of the last vintage, 'this is a class act'.
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2010 CONDRIEU Domaine Pierre Gaillard
Northern Rhône France
Beautifully perfumed (lychee, white peaches, violets), never excessive or weighty, a lovely expression of Condrieu. Given seven to eight months in oak 'barriques, of which 10% new, and kept on stirred lees throughout so as to develop complex aromas of exotic fruits and flowers.
Northern Rhône France
Beautifully perfumed (lychee, white peaches, violets), never excessive or weighty, a lovely expression of Condrieu. Given seven to eight months in oak 'barriques, of which 10% new, and kept on stirred lees throughout so as to develop complex aromas of exotic fruits and flowers.
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2008 CONDRIEU Verchery Domaine Clusel-Roch
Northern Rhône France
From the Coteaux de Chery (generally regarded as the best) which undoubtedly contributes to the richness and aromatics of pure violets. Richly textured, quite full bodied, yet with freshness and minerality. Great finish.
Northern Rhône France
From the Coteaux de Chery (generally regarded as the best) which undoubtedly contributes to the richness and aromatics of pure violets. Richly textured, quite full bodied, yet with freshness and minerality. Great finish.
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2010 CONDRIEU l'Octroi Domaine Pierre Gaillard
Northern Rhône France
From a one hectare parcel of vines worked biodynamically this wine has a wonderful expression of minerality and focussed fruit. It is immensely concentrated, yet without being anything other than totally charming, voluptuous even and very, very drinkable. Notes of dry peach stones, sweet flowers and bright acidity with tremendous length, this is glorious now and will will probably be something magical with a decade in bottle. Exceptional.
Northern Rhône France
From a one hectare parcel of vines worked biodynamically this wine has a wonderful expression of minerality and focussed fruit. It is immensely concentrated, yet without being anything other than totally charming, voluptuous even and very, very drinkable. Notes of dry peach stones, sweet flowers and bright acidity with tremendous length, this is glorious now and will will probably be something magical with a decade in bottle. Exceptional.
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2010 CONDRIEU Verchery Domaine Clusel-Roch
Northern Rhône France
As usual quite a crunchy, tight style of Condrieu which never gets oily, but is brightly aromatic and fresh on the palate, expanding into a palate-coating and fascinatingly complex length.
Northern Rhône France
As usual quite a crunchy, tight style of Condrieu which never gets oily, but is brightly aromatic and fresh on the palate, expanding into a palate-coating and fascinatingly complex length.