Guigal now bottles approximately 40% of the appellation’s total production, so it’s fortunate that the 2016 Condrieu is a fine ambassador for the region. One-third of this bottling sees new oak, while the rest goes into stainless steel. Some may quibble with the oak in an entry-level bottling, but I don’t find it excessive. The wine remains floral and fresh, with apricot and melon flavors that finish with modest spice notes and on a silky textural note. Drink it young.

2015 now all sold out. One-third new oak, two-thirds stainless steel. Exemplary peach and apricot aromas, thick and unctuous and perfumed on the finish. There's a very lovely fennel note giving complexity on the finish, and no excess oak here. Fairly low acid but enough to keep tension. One of the better Condrieus in 2016. (RH)