2007 Condrieu

100% Viognier, fermented at low temperature, with one-third fermenting in new French oak barrels and the remainder in stainless steel. 100% malolactic and 100% of final blend aged in new oak. Winemaker Philippe Guigal . TA 4.51g/l, pH 3.96 .  Fragrant with apricots and a light note of toasted nuts. Just a little floral. More scented on the mid palate. Firm, even a little chewy but this adds freshness to a wine that is quite broad in the mouth. Long and correct. Creamy oak is smooth across the mid palate. Elegant and finishes fresh. (JH)

Guigal is the undisputed king of Condrieu (as well as Cote Rotie), and his 2007 Condrieu exhibits crisp, tart acids in addition to fresh, lively notes of honeyed apricots, peaches, and lychee nuts. While the entire world of wine knows how profound Guigal’s red wines are, they may not know that he continues to demonstrate a complete mastery of white wine varietals, from his lowly Cotes du Rhone blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier, Clairette, and Bourboulenc, to his seriously-endowed dry whites from the northern Rhone. There are two cuvees of white Hermitage. The luxury offering, Ex-Voto, comes from five acres of 90-year old Marsanne vines planted in two separate vineyards on Hermitage Hill - l’Ermite and Les Murets. As the following notes indicate, Guigal has set aside a number of barrels that could make up the 2007 Ex-Voto, but he is not yet sure the quality will be high enough as this must be a wine of great richness and complexity. Importer: Fred Ek and Patrick Will, Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA; tel. (805) 686-9153

(two-thirds raised in stainless steel and the balance in new barriques Green-gold. Spicy white peach and lemon aromas are complicated by zesty minerals and white flowers. Fleshy orange and pit fruit flavors stain the palate and expand with air, picking up a refreshing peach skin quality. The minerals return on the finish, which is brisk, focused and long.