2016 Condrieu Les Terrasses de l'Empire
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Tasting notes
Sumptuous and silky textured with very seductive rich aromas but quite enough freshness. Long and rather glorious. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Rather discreet nose. Has good purity of stone-fruit flavour, but not as much punch and power as you’d expect. Very much an understated style. (RH)
Limpid yellow. Incisive aromas of fresh citrus and orchard fruits, ginger and violet are joined by hints of chalky minerals, fennel and white pepper. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, offering fresh pear and Meyer lemon flavors that show impressive clarity and minerally drive. The citrus fruit and floral notes come back strong on the vibrant finish, which hangs on with excellent focus and tenacity.
The 2016 Condrieu Les Terrasses De L'Empire, the entry-level effort, is a fresh, elegant, gorgeously layered Condrieu that has plenty of intensity and depth in its white peach, tangerine, white flowers and citrus aromas and flavors. The benchmark estate in Condrieu is unquestionably that of Christine Vernay, who pulls from the magical hillside of Coteau du Vernon located just behind her home. This is pure granite terroir and all three of her Condrieu come basically from this steep hillside. Christine prefers a slightly longer élevage on her Condrieu, with the 2015s being the current release. I’ll review her 2016s next year. In addition to heavenly Condrieu, she makes a terrific set of Côte Rôtie.
About the producer
A legendary name, Domaine Georges Vernay crafts some of the finest whites in the world, having championed Condrieu when it was on the brink of extinction. The estate is best known for its single-site Coteau de Vernon Condrieu and is now in the hands of the third and fourth generation of the family.