French winemakers have spent centuries perfecting the ideal marriages of grape and land. Each region has its own match: Pinot Noir in Burgundy, Sauvignon blanc in Sancerre, Merlot in Bordeaux, Grenache in the Rhône, etc.
One particularly happy union is that Viognier and Condrieu, perched on the steep slopes of the Northern Rhône valley. Grown elsewhere, Viognier can be heavy and flat — in Condrieu, it reaches magnificence. We’ve just received our small allocation of the Domaine Bonnefond’s extraordinary 2019 Condrieu, and we’re excited to share it with you today.
Condrieu is a tiny appellation — just over half a square mile of vines. But it produces one of the world’s great white wines, as complex aromatically as it is elegant and mouthfilling on the palate. Bonnefond’s is a masterpiece, achieving soaring balance between minerals, fruit, freshness, aromas and texture.
Josh Raynolds of Vinous was just as enthusiastic. Awarding 95 points, he found it “vibrant,” and “shimmering,” with notes of “fresh nectarine pear, orange and pungent flowers.” He continued, “the mineral note repeats emphatically on a strikingly long, focused finish.”
Condrieu needs only a big glass (our new Crus would be perfect) and a friend to enjoy it with. But if you get hungry, takeout sushi.
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Bonnefond Condrieu 2019
bottle price: $58
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON ANY 12 BOTTLES