Easily one of the greatest Condrieu I’ve ever tasted is the 2015 Condrieu La Doriane. A wine that needs to be tasted to be believed, it possesses a huge nose of toasted brioche, liquid rocks, apricot, flower oil and salty minerality. Unctuous, full-bodied, massively rich, yet also elegant and graceful, with beautiful freshness, enjoy this tour de force over the coming 5-6 years.

Fine yellow colour; the nose is still a bit reserved with aromas of vanilla, pear and hints of smoke from the oak. The palate is deeply intense with notes of peach, lychee, apricots and spring flowers. It has a stylish richness but also possesses a slightly higher acidity than usual which gives it a great freshness. The finish displays some lovely floral notes and hints of salinity that provide a lasting impression of energy and elegance. Absolutely stunning!

Tasted November 2016

Brilliant yellow-gold. Powerful orange, nectarine and honeydew aromas are complemented by suave floral, vanilla and chalky mineral accents. Supple and expansive in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated, smoke-tinged poached pear and peach nectar flavors that pick up honey and iodine qualities as the wine opens up. Lush and seamless but surprisingly energetic in style, showing superb closing thrust and lingering suggestions of buttery brioche and candied pit fruits.

Nutty, sweet stone fruit, loads of concentration and perfume on the nose and palate, and showing better structural definition than their 2015 Condrieu. Very impressive, and extremely persistent. (RH)