Domaine Georges Vernay Condrieu Coteau de Vernon Rhone, France 2009

The Vernon hillside is the heart of the appellation and the estate. It offers the finest expression of the Viognier that makes up 100% of this cuvée. It comes from vines aged between 50 and 80 years old planted on 2.5 hectares of south-southeast-facing terraces on granite soil. The hilly vineyard makes mechanization impossible: harvests are manual. Treatments are carried out using organic products. In the winery, direct pressing of the whole harvest is carried out, static settling, and barrel fermentation. The Condrieu is then aged in barrels on fine lees for 12 to 18 months with stirring. When drunk young, it delivers great concentration and a restrained power that reveals itself after several years of aging. So keep it carefully.