2022 Condrieu Invitare

The 2022 Condrieu Invitare comes from the northern part of the Condrieu (there's a splash from vines near Limony). It's an outstanding wine, offering pretty orange, quince, and floral notes as well as a kiss of minerality. Balanced and medium-bodied, it has a bright, refreshing profile and a great finish. Drink bottles over the coming 5-7 years or so. This was another fabulous tasting with Michel Chapoutier and his team, and it continues to be one of the highlight tastings I do in a year. The portfolio is massive, so there’s certainly something in here for everyone. Looking at the 2021s, I was able to retaste a handful of the flagship whites, and these appear to have shut down slightly. I wouldn’t touch bottles for another 3-5 years. The reds are leaner and focused, but balanced, and certainly impeccably made. However, the 2022s continue to trend here, starting around 2017 or 2018, toward fresher, lighter wines, both with the reds and whites. In addition, they’re all experimenting with whole cluster fermentations, which works beautifully in the wines I was able to taste.