2020 Guigal Condrieu la Doriane

Viognier - 750ML
Reg: $99.94
$89.94
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REVIEWS

JD 99 DC 95 JS 95 WA 93
JD 99

jebdunnuck.com, February 2022

Just about pure perfection and one of the finest Condrieu to pass my lips, the 2020 Condrieu La Doriane offers an insane bouquet of grilled pineapple, charcoal, crushed stone, acacia flowers, and white peach. It picks up...
DC 95

Decanter, September 2021

Full-bodied and very rich, but there's plenty of salinity to balance the oak work, which is robust but very high quality. Fresh and drinkable already, as flamboyant as ever and with a long finish. From lieux-dits...
JS 95

jamessuckling.com, February 2022

What a fascinatingly smoky and flinty nose this Condrieu has! I love the touches of vanilla bean, mandarin orange peel and jasmine that emerge as you swirl the glass. It masters a remarkable balance on the expansive and...
WA 93

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2022

While the 2020 Condrieu la Doriane matured entirely in new oak, there's just a hint of toast on the nose. The rest of the bouquet features a kaleidoscopic swirl of floral and spice notes with melon and white peach. Medium...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type White
Varietal Viognier
Country France
Region Rhone
Sub-region Northern Rhone
Appellation Condrieu
Vintage 2020
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 14.5%
Closure Cork

The Guigal Estate was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in Ampuis, a small ancient village and cradle of the Cote-Rotie appellation. It shelters a unique vineyard where the vines and the wines have been famous for 2,400 years. Arriving in the region in 1924 at the age of 14, Etienne began his career at Vidal-Fleury, participating in its development and working his way up to the position of cellar-master before leaving to establish his own company. He has vinified 67 harvests in Cote-Rotie.

In 1961, although still very young, Marcel Guigal took over management of the establishment from his father who was stricken suddenly with total blindness. In 1973, his wife Bernadette joined him and they worked together to develop the family business. In 1975, their son Philippe was born and is today the estate’s winemaker. With his wife Eve, he represents the third generation to continue the family business, in the service of the great wines of the Rhone Valley.

Their hard work and perseverance enabled them to purchase the Vidal-Fleury Establishment in the mid ‘80s and in 1995, they acquired the famous Chateau d’Ampuis, an ancient fort built in the 12th century, later repurposed into a Renaissance chateau during the 16th century. In a state of neglect and terrible disrepair, Guigal has taken on a colossal renovation, spanning nearly 11 years with over 100 people working on the project.

The Chateau d’Ampuis has become the headquarters of the Guigal Estate while the offices and the cellars remain in the ancient small village of Ampuis. While their vineyards span the length and breadth of what the Rhone Valley offers, the heart of the winery’s production is still Cote-Rotie, whose ultimate expression can be found in Guigal’s most famous releases: La Landonne, La Turque, and La Mouline.

The Condrieu appellation covers about 150 hectares. La Doriane is the crown jewel in Guigal’s holdings in the Condrieu appellation, a region encompassing about 150 hectares of the northern Rhone and known for its stunning whites, particularly Viognier.

Overhanging the right bank of the Rhone, the steep, terraced La Doriane vineyard is planted exclusively with Viognier. Soils are primarily granitic, but include some shale and silicon limestone. The average vine age is 35 years.

Guigal’s La Doriane Condrieu is fermented and aged in new French oak barrels. It undergoes complete malolactic fermentation and ages for nine months.

The 2020 Guigal Condrieu la Doriane is a white wine that hails from the esteemed Condrieu appellation in the Northern Rhone region of France. Crafted by the renowned producer Guigal, this wine showcases the beauty and complexity of the Viognier grape.

In the glass, the wine exhibits a radiant golden color, inviting you to delve into its aromatic wonders. With a swirl, the nose is greeted by a fascinatingly smoky and flinty bouquet, accompanied by delicate notes of vanilla bean, mandarin orange peel, and jasmine. This aromatic symphony sets the stage for an extraordinary tasting experience.

On the palate, the wine delivers a remarkable balance between expansiveness and subtlety. The texture is soft and creamy, yet a hint of bitterness adds depth and complexity. The oak work is robust but of exceptional quality, contributing to the wine's full-bodied and rich nature. Despite its opulence, there is a refreshing salinity that perfectly balances the oak influence. The finish is long, leaving a lasting impression.

Critics have been captivated by the 2020 Guigal Condrieu la Doriane. Decanter awarded it a score of 95, praising its freshness, flamboyance, and long finish. James Suckling also awarded it 95 points, highlighting its smoky nose, balance, and creaminess. Jeb Dunnuck was particularly enamored, bestowing a score of 99 and describing it as "just about pure perfection." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it 93 points, noting its expansive and silky texture.

This exceptional wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for further development. It is a true masterpiece that showcases the elegance and complexity of Condrieu's Viognier. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or simply seeking an unforgettable experience, the 2020 Guigal Condrieu la Doriane is a must-try.