Vintus

Condrieu La Doriane, Condrieu

 Guigal has produced La Doriane, a luxury cuvée of Condrieu, since the 1994 vintage.  The Viognier grapes for this wine have been sourced from two exceptional sites: Côtes Chatillon, a steeply terraced vineyard overlooking the town of Condrieu itself, and Colombier, situated further south and just outside the boundary of Château Grillet.  Starting in 2005, a third Lieu dit has been added – Château Volan – an exceptionally steep, south-facing vineyard near the town of Malleval.  Guigal performs several green harvests during the growing season in these vineyards to keep yields exceptionally low.  In the vintages 1994 through 1997, Guigal made the wine in a fashion similar to his ‘regular’ cuvée, fermenting a portion in new oak barrels (33% for the regular, 50% for La Doriane) and the rest in stainless steel.  Since the 1998 vintage La Doriane is fermented and aged in 100% new oak barriques each year, with a higher level of fine lees included in the fermenting must to help the wine integrate the oak character more completely.  A great success since the first vintage, the wine always seems richly oaked and very fruity when young, transforming in 3-4 years into a seamlessly complex, aromatic and vibrant wine.  La Doriane contradicts the accepted wisdom that Condrieu does not age well.

• 2010 Vintage

  • "Perhaps the finest example of this cuvee Guigal has yet made, the 2010 Condrieu La Doriane flirts with perfection. Profoundly intense with abundant notes reminiscent of caramelized oranges, lychee nuts, apricots, spring flowers and a liqueur of wet rocks, this superb, full-bodied, rich Condrieu possesses slightly higher acids than the 2009. It should keep for 5-10 years."  98 Points Wine Advocate 

  • "Pale gold. An explosively perfumed bouquet evokes tangerine, pear skin, honeysuckle and iodine, with a smoky overtone. Stains the palate with intense orchard fruit and floral flavors given spine and lift by juicy acidity. Closes with serious grip and excellent length, leaving mineral and citrus fruit notes behind."  94 Points International Wine Cellar

• 2009 Vintage

  • "The 2009 Condrieu La Doriane, which achieved 15% natural alcohol, is spectacular. Explosive aromas of peach and apricot marmalade, honeysuckle and crushed rocks soar from the glass. Full-bodied and opulent with enticing minerality, this is one of the finest La Dorianes Guigal has yet made. It should drink nicely for 3-4 years." 95 Points Wine Advocate

• 2008 Vintage

  • "Lovely, inviting aromas of creamed yellow apple, peach and persimmon give way to a mouthfeel that's surprisingly lush for the vintage, letting additional pear, melon, buttered brioche and quince notes pump through the lengthy, dense finish. Bold but well-defined." 92 Points Wine Spectator

  • "The 2008 Condrieu La Doriane is one of the top dry white wines of the vintage. Exotic notes of tropical fruit intermixed with crushed rock and spring flower aromas jump from the glass of this medium to full-bodied effort. It possesses a level of concentration and complexity that is rare in this year." 92 Points Wine Advocate

• 2007 Vintage

  • "This full-bodied white was aged in one-third new oak and two-thirds tank. One hundred percent of the 2007 Condrieu La Doriane is vinified in new oak, and put through malolactic. It is then aged for 11 months prior to bottling. Absolutely exquisite, with the oak pushed to the background, this wine’s fruit character is dominated by apricots, peaches, honeysuckle, and marmalade. The beautiful floral and honeyed fruit aromatics are followed by a sumptuous, full-bodied white that is never heavy (because of good acidity) or flabby." 95 Points Wine Advocate

  • "Really dense, with a massive core of white peach, fig, almond and Cavaillon melon notes carried by a remarkably creamy-textured palate. Long and pure through the finish, with mineral and floral notes waiting in reserve." 94 Points Wine Spectator

• 2006 Vintage

  • "The 2006 Condrieu La Doriane reveals a classic honeysuckle scent interwoven with touches of smoke and apricot marmalade. Full-bodied, intense, and complex with undeniable minerality, this is a sensational wine." 96 Points Wine Advocate

  • "Still a bit tight, with alluring hints of warm brioche and wheat biscuit giving slowly to richer notes of nut oil, papaya, almond butter and carmelized figs. Long, richly detailed finish should open up nicely with mid-term cellaring. Great combination of richness and purity." 94 Points Wine Spectator

• 2005 Vintage

  • "The brilliant 2005 Condrieu La Doriane (aged in 100% new oak) boasts a classic Condrieu nose of buttered almonds, marzipan, lychee nuts, white peaches, and tropical fruits presented in a full-bodied, unctuous format with excellent acidity, depth, and earthiness." 94 Points Wine Advocate

  • "Concentrated, with focused almond, acacia, mango and dried pineapple flavors. Nice cut to the finish, with lingering anise notes that really open up in the glass. Great mouthfeel." 93 Points Wine Spectator

• 2004 Vintage

  • "Looking back at what was a truly profound vintage for Condrieu, both of Guigal’s cuvees of 2004 are still going strong, and still revealing wonderful aromatics and flavor intensity. No doubt this vintage, which also had high acidity, has added a dimension of limited longevity to Condrieu that it rarely possesses. This wine, which is 100% barrel-fermented and aged on its lees with routine batonnage, has exceptionally intense notes of litchi, almonds, marzipan, and honeyed tropical fruits in a full-bodied, unctuous style that is buttressed by tremendous acidity. This is an amazing example of Condrieu year in and year out." 94 Points Wine Advocate

  • "Tropical for the vintage, with butter and mango flavors leading the way, followed by hints of almond and toast. Round and fat with a long, butter- and anise-filled finish. Quite showy in style." 92 Points Wine Spectator