Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Georges Vernay is known as the “King of Condrieu” and was responsible for the growth and worldwide recognition of this small appellation during the 1950s. His estate covers 22 hectares of vineyards, six of which are in the Côte Rôtie appellation. The steep and uneven vineyards make mechanical labour impossible. The vines are manually cultivated without the use of residual herbicides or insecticides. Georges’ daughter, Christine, returned to her roots with Paul Anselem, her Parisian husband, and has looked after the winemaking since 1997, gaining worldwide recognition for her Côte Rôtie wines. In 2019, Domaine Georges Vernay was awarded the prestigious 3 stars by ‘La Revue du Vin de France’.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The 2.5 hectares of south to south-east facing vineyard sit on granite, biotite terraces in the heart of the Condrieu appellation. The old vines are aged between 50 and 70 years. The vines are planted at density of 8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare and yield just 25 hectolitres per hectare. Planted on 110 Richter rootstocks, they are trained according to the simple Guyot method and due to the steep nature of the terraced vineyard, the use of machines is impossible; therefore, the vineyard is maintained manually and without the use of weed killers or insecticides. The vineyard is certified organic.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The grapes were manually harvested at full maturity, 13 to 14 degrees, meticulously sorted and then immediately pressed. A static temperature-controlled must settling took place, and the clear juice was fermented in 225-litre barrels, lasting four to five weeks. The wine was matured in oak barrels, of which 25% were new, on its fine lees for 12 months with regular “bâtonnage” (stirring of the lees), which added texture and complexity to the resulting wine.

OUR TASTING NOTE:
The wine is delicate yet opulent with complex stone fruit aromas of peaches, dried apricots and a hint of liquorice. Elegantly structured with racy acidity and complementing oak flavours through to a long and lingering finish.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Viognier 100%.