Georges Vernay is the man widely credited with saving Condrieu in the 1960s, when barely eight hectares remained under vine. Today his daughter Christine runs the estate, with her daughter Emma now part of the winemaking team, and her Côte-Rôties have become every bit as celebrated as the family’s Viognier. Blonde du Seigneur is her take on the classic Côte Blonde style: 95% Syrah co-fermented with 5% Viognier from mature vines on steep schist slopes, all certified organic. The 2022 is fresh, complex and elegant, with violet, rose, dark wild berries, cherry, smoke and spice, plus a touch of herbs. Silky, persistent tannins and bright acidity carry it to a long, refined finish. Beautiful now with a decant and built to age. Try it with roast leg of lamb, beef fillet with morels or duck.
93 Points
"A co-fermented blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier, the 2022 Cote Rotie Blonde du Seigneur evokes a complex, fresh and elegant bouquet of spices, smoke, violets, roses and dark wild berries mingled with a touch of herbs. Medium to full-bodied, tense and juicy, it's elegant, with a discreet tannic frame, good depth at the core and a tense, energetic mid-palate, leading to a long, saline and mouthwatering finish. Fermented with 10% whole bunches and crafted from vines planted in Coteaux de Semmons, Bassenon and from the young vines from Maison Rouge, this classic, well-crafted and stunning Côte-Rôtie was matured in barrels, of which 10% were new."
Georges Vernay is the man widely credited with saving Condrieu in the 1960s, when barely eight hectares remained under vine. Today his daughter Christine runs the estate, with her daughter Emma now part of the winemaking team, and her Côte-Rôties have become every bit as celebrated as the family’s Viognier. Blonde du Seigneur is her take on the classic Côte Blonde style: 95% Syrah co-fermented with 5% Viognier from mature vines on steep schist slopes, all certified organic. The 2022 is fresh, complex and elegant, with violet, rose, dark wild berries, cherry, smoke and spice, plus a touch of herbs. Silky, persistent tannins and bright acidity carry it to a long, refined finish. Beautiful now with a decant and built to age. Try it with roast leg of lamb, beef fillet with morels or duck.
93 Points
"A co-fermented blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier, the 2022 Cote Rotie Blonde du Seigneur evokes a complex, fresh and elegant bouquet of spices, smoke, violets, roses and dark wild berries mingled with a touch of herbs. Medium to full-bodied, tense and juicy, it's elegant, with a discreet tannic frame, good depth at the core and a tense, energetic mid-palate, leading to a long, saline and mouthwatering finish. Fermented with 10% whole bunches and crafted from vines planted in Coteaux de Semmons, Bassenon and from the young vines from Maison Rouge, this classic, well-crafted and stunning Côte-Rôtie was matured in barrels, of which 10% were new."
