2010 Condrieu Coteaux de Vernon

This was the most difficult wine of the whole tasting for me – perhaps especially since I had used up my Viognier vote! But actually not one of the papers I marked (all of the student ones) showed anyone who got close to guessing the identity of this wine. It was still too young to show much Viognier aroma. It was clearly very full bodied and had a certain 'minerality' if you will permit such a woolly descriptor. There was no obvious oak, it had lots of extract, was not that acid though it had a sour finish and was a slightly dull gold. With a slightly warm finish, it tasted as though it came from somewhere relatively warm. I wondered fleetingly whether it could be a Godello, then flirted with Savennières before finally accepting Hugh's suggestion that it might be Italian. (JR)

Surprisingly, the 2010 Condrieu Coteaux du Vernon was closed and reticent on this occasion and wasn't showing its full potential (I've had sensational bottles of this wine). Reluctantly giving up pretty notes of marmalade, tangerine, green citrus, white pepper and hints of minerality, it's full-bodied, rich and nicely textured on the palate, but was lacking that extra sparkle this vintage normally shows.

Surprisingly, the 2010 Condrieu Coteaux du Vernon was closed and reticent on this occasion and wasn't showing its full potential (I've had sensational bottles of this wine). Reluctantly giving up pretty notes of marmalade, tangerine, green citrus, white pepper and hints of minerality, it's full-bodied, rich and nicely textured on the palate, but was lacking that extra sparkle this vintage normally shows. eRobertParker.com.September, 2015