E. Guigal is one of the most notable wine producers in the Rhône Valley. It was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in Ampuis, a village near the famous roasted slopes of the Côte Rôtie, with a long history of winegrowing, and today has plots throughout the Rhône. Guigal makes wines from classic Mediterranean varieties like Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier and Roussanne, although the focus has always been on Syrah and Côte Rôtie.
« The treasures are born in the very heart of the most legendary of the illustrious plots of the Maison Guigal. These precious bottles are as coveted as they are rare and have benefited from extreme care at every stage of the process, from the vine to the cellars. They are the sole incarnation of the inspiration and inheritance of centuries of viticulture in an exceptional terroir »
"La Doriane"
Produced from the top 5 terroirs of this famed appellation, La Doriane is an extremely intense wine with a complex range of aromas. On the palate, it is round and fleshy with a lovely freshness which brings harmony.
Appellation:
AOC Condrieu, Rhône
Country of Origin:
France
Type:
White/Blanc (Still)
Grape Varieties:
100% Viognier
Average age of vines:
35 years.
Soil Type:
Vineyards on very steep terraces.
"Côte Chatillon" CONDRIEU Shale, limestone 1 ha
"Colombier" ST MICHEL SUR RHÔNE Granite, sand. 1 ha
"Volan" ST PIERRE DE BOEUF Granit with iron oxyde. 1 ha
"Coteau de Chéry" CONDRIEU. 0,5 ha
Vinification:
A wine made and matured exclusively in new oak barrels for 12 months.
100% malolactic fermentation.
Tasting Notes:
Slightly more forward and flamboyant than the more classically structured 2016, the 2017 Condrieu la Doriane is full-bodied, plush and opulent, loaded with flowers, melons and apricots. Yes, the oak is noticeable, but it adds a relatively restrained note of toasted almonds, serving to focus and lift the waves of succulent fruit. I'd drink this silky-textured beauty over the next few years, while it's still as showy as can be.
