Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu

TASTING REPORT Last Tuesday, we attended, thanks to Oenoschool, a tasting on the theme of Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu: two beautiful appellations from the Rhône. A very beautiful evening led by Didier Frayssou, whose comments and notes you will find below.

Guigal Condrieu La Doriane 2007 ***(*) The color is slightly evolved, a pronounced golden color. The nose is still young, with notes of apricot, violet, smoke, menthol... The palate is powerful with acidity, volume, beautiful aromatic intensity, and marked bitterness at the finish.

Georges Vernay Condrieu Côteaux de Vernon 2000 *** A golden color with orange reflections. A nose of dried fruits and peach, quite intense... aromas of sweet wine. The palate is more balanced than the Doriane, without bitterness. However, it lacks aromatic intensity. A wine to drink quickly.

Clusel Roch Côte Rôtie Les Grands Places 2012 **(*) The color is purplish, the nose quite open with spicy notes and aromas of cherry, flowers, and tobacco. Very fruity, this nose is close to that of a Gamay. On the palate, the wine is not at its best (marked acidity, quite strict tannins) for a vintage that normally tastes well in its youth. However, its concentration should allow it to become a harmonious wine within 10 years.

Burgaud Côte Rôtie 2010***(*) A purple and opaque color with a closed nose of black fruits. The palate is not very expressive, but the balance and texture are remarkable with silky tannins and beautiful persistence.

Gérin Côte Rôtie les Grands Places 2013 **** A nose of black fruits with smoky notes and tobacco. The attack is very fruity, with beautiful substance that balances the tannins and present acidity. A wine that reveals itself very well today. A beautiful surprise for a vintage reputed to be austere.

Guigal Côte Rôtie Brune et Blonde 2001** The color is light and evolved, the nose infused with spices, cooked fruits, leather... On the palate, the wine is fluid and harmonious with beautiful length but lacks a bit of complexity.

Guigal Côte Rôtie Château d'Ampuis 2001*** The nose is complex (black fruits, chocolate, animal, leather, spices, smoke) with a hint of oxidation. The balance on the palate is remarkable with beautiful concentration and melted tannins.

Vidal Fleury Côte Rôtie la Chatillonne 2007 ***** Color not very intense and little evolved. The nose is very elegant (rose, violet, raspberry, tobacco) and the aging notes remain discreet despite 4 years in barrels. The palate is remarkably fine with beautiful acidity and silky tannins over an endless length. "The bottle of the evening" for this beautiful 2007 vintage!

Jamet Côte Rôtie 2002 **** The color has evolved little with a nose of violet, black fruits, spice. The palate is very fruity and concentrated enough to balance the tannins and acidity. A very pleasant surprise for a medium-bodied vintage.