2017 Condrieu La Bonnette
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Tasting notes
Pale straw-yellow. An intensely perfumed bouquet evokes mineral-accented pear, tangerine and violet scents, along with a spicy touch of ginger. Offers energetic, sharply focused citrus and orchard fruit flavors that stain the palate while showing zero excess fat. Impressively concentrated yet lithe and precise, with a long, focused finish that features repeating floral and mineral notes.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Apricot and peach with utter conviction and purity – so impressive! Full and plush on the palate. A little spiciness and nut character on the finish. A classic example. (RH)
The 2017 Condrieu Bonnett is brilliant stuff, and one of the fresher, crisper Condrieu in the vintage. White peach, citrus zest, and vibrant floral notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, bright, juicy effort that still has plenty of sweet Viognier fruit and texture. It’s going to keep for 3-5 years. I loved the 2016s from barrel from the young Pierre Rostaing and they didn’t disappoint from bottle. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find bottles of the Côte Brune and la Viallière (they didn’t show the wines at the domaine and I purchased bottles locally) but I’ve no doubt they’re brilliant wines as well. I suspect the 2017s will eclipse the 2016s.
The 2017 Condrieu la Bonnette is low in acidity and positively demands near-term drinking, but it's a gorgeous wine nonetheless, with floral and apricot aromas and flavors that broaden out into a mouth-filling palate and lengthy finish. It's a rich, decadent wine to knock back over the next couple of years.