Guigal's finest and most beloved white wine is this La Doriane Condrieu. Mr. Etienne Guigal is still considered the father of the "single vineyard" wines from the Côte du Rhone. He started by selling wines from just one vineyard, and that naturally had to be something special. Well, that's what this white La Doriane Condrieu is, because this white wine is the crown jewel of years of experience and craftsmanship.
The old vineyard of Guigal La Doriane
The vineyard is now mature and produces beautiful, full clusters. The Viognier grapes are grown with great care and respect for nature. They work completely organically in the vineyards, maintain low yields, and there's no intervention in the cellars. The grapes are also harvested by hand, after which they are fermented in new oak barrels. Fermentation takes a full eight months, and you can taste that in this white wine. After fermentation, this La Doriane Condrieu is aged for another 12 months in oak barrels in the Guigal cellars. The aroma and flavor of this gem from the Condrieu wine region are impressive.
The aromas and flavours of the Guigal La Doriane Condrieu
Only 20,000 bottles are produced annually for the entire world, which is small, as demand is high. The aroma is explosive, with abundant apricots, peaches, vanilla, woody notes, and some light spice. Those who can pick this wine up well will even smell white flowers, yellow cream, and licorice. On the palate, this Guigal La Doriane Condrieu is very powerful and complex, with deep flavors of yellow fruit like apricot and peach. And on the back of the tongue, the party begins, with notes of roasted nuts, vanilla pod, cedar, a touch of toasted fruit, and refined minerals. What a magnificent wine that continues to surprise us every year. You can enjoy this white wine now, or let it age in your cellar for another 10 years.
2021
