2018 Condrieu Les Chaillées de l'Enfer
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Tasting notes
From vines just next to the Coteau Vernon, the Condrieu Les Chaillées de L'Enfer is year-in, year-out one of the top examples from this appellation. The 2018 Condrieu Les Chaillées De L'Enfer reveals a light gold color as well as a gorgeous bouquet of ripe stone fruits, honeyed nectarines, and apricots intermixed with notions of white flowers, white chocolate, and truffly earth. Possessing an incredible sense of salty minerality, medium to full-bodied richness, flawless balance, and a great finish, it strikes a beautiful balance between richness and freshness and stays light on its feet and elegant. I'd drink bottles over the coming 4-6 years, but it will evolve for longer.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
From a 2-ha plot of 50 year-old vines on granite. Aged in barrel (25% new) on fine lees for 12 to 18 months with some lees stirring. Very concentrated, tight and dense with a luscious honeysuckle overlay. For current drinking (in August 2020) the Terrasses de l'Empire 2018 is probably better, but I would expect this to last longer and to shed some of its puppy fat and slight suggestion of heat on the finish. Edge of veginess on the nose too. (JR)
Pale straw-yellow. Powerful, mineral-accented orchard and pit fruits on the nose; a suave floral nuance builds as the wine stretches out. Sappy, penetrating and seamless in texture, offering vibrant tangerine, Anjou pear and white peach flavors and a sneaky hint of honeysuckle. Shows excellent focus and emphatic mineral cut on the finish, which lingers with outstanding tenacity.
About the producer
A legendary name, Domaine Georges Vernay crafts some of the finest whites in the world, having championed Condrieu when it was on the brink of extinction. The estate is best known for its single-site Coteau de Vernon Condrieu and is now in the hands of the third and fourth generation of the family.