Guigal La Doriane Condrieu 2016 (750ML)

96 JD / 95 VM / 94 WA / 17.5 JR

The flagship 2016 Condrieu La Doriane also shows the freshness and more classical style of the vintage. Citrus blossom, crushed rocks, honeysuckle, and orange blossom give way to a medium to full-bodied, incredibly elegant Condrieu that gains depth and richness with time in the glass. It will be better this time next year and keep for 7-8 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

(aged for eight months in new oak barrels) Light bright yellow. Expansive aromas of ripe nectarine, pear liqueur, candied fig and pungent flowers, along with a smoky mineral nuance that builds in the background. Palate-staining, impressively concentrated citrus and pit fruit flavors show superb clarity and become more energetic with air, picking up a touch of lemon curd. The mineral and floral qualities come back emphatically on the extremely persistent, penetrating finish, which shows a suave blend of power and finesse. Josh Raynolds - Vinous Media

Bottled in June 2017, the 2016 Condrieu la Doriane is entirely barrel-fermented in new oak. This vintage seems more restrained and less rich than some others, but it remains marked by smoky, grilled apricot aromas and flavors. It’s nicely balanced and not overly opulent, retaining a sense of elegance on the long, spicy finish. - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

Spicy oak influence which gives toasty, smoky overlay on the stone fruit. Thick, rich and impressive – and the oak and fruit integrate very well. A big step up from their standard Condrieu. - Jancis Robinson

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After 2015 delivered an almost perfect example of Guigal’s La Doriane, it will be amazing to have yet another extraordinary example of this alluring Condrieu for 2016. Always an opulent wine that exudes a complex nose of apricots, and peaches, Guigal’s La Doriane is the benchmark for Viognier in this miniscule appellation.

There has been a very unusual string of vintages in the Northern Rhone which has gifted us with some of the finest wines that the region can produce. The 2015 and 2016 vintage has been likened to the 1990 and 1991 vintage. Whereas the 2015’s were blockbuster wines with copious amounts of fruit and loads of power, the 2016 vintage is more terroir driven, with higher acid levels, and a more elegant character.

In many ways 2016 was a trickier vintage than 2015 due to a somewhat wet spring, and a long, hot summer. The harvest was saved in mid-September by rain and then a long warm fall that stretched well into October. Vignerons were able to leisurely pick their grapes at optimal ripeness. Although a smaller harvest, many producers enjoy that the wines will be be stylistically very different from the previous vintage, but of similar quality. - Ron V, GVWM