2018 Condrieu La Combe de Malleval

While I wasn't able to taste the Vignes de Jacques Vernay, the 2018 Condrieu La Combe De Malleval showed beautifully, with a classic bouquet of apricot, Meyer lemon, honeysuckle, and white flower aromas and flavors. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, has plenty of richness, yet terrific purity. Unquestionably, one of the most exciting domaines in the world of wine today is that of superstar winemaker Stephane Ogier, who continues to purchase and plant new vineyards throughout Côte Rôtie and the Northern Rhône. I was blown away by his 2017s, and his Côte Rôtie Côte Blonde is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage, as well as one of the greatest Côte Rôties I’ve had the opportunity to taste. While it’s still in barrel, the Côte Rôtie Belle Helene is another wine with perfection written all over it. In general, his 2017s shows ripe, expressive aromatics and tons of fruit, yet they have a firm, structured vibe on the palate and need bottle age. The 2018s, which are from a vintage compared to 1991 by Stéphane, show a slightly more rounded, seamless profile with silkier tannins. These wines shine for their purity of fruit as well as balance. While the expensive releases get all the attention, don’t miss the La Rosine, L’Ame Soeur, Saint Joseph, or Côte Rôtie Mon Village from this estate. These are terrific wines that offer loads of character and represent smoking values for the true wine lovers and wine drinkers out there.

The 2018 Condrieu la Combe de Malleval is floral, honeyed and enticing on the nose, then delivers a rich, weighty feel on the medium to full-bodied palate, yet it somehow manages to remain fresh and appealing. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.

100% Viognier. 33% new oak. Excellent clarity and nimble structure that makes this refreshing and non-viscous, with no overt oak influence. For Condrieu, this is positively light. Finishes with tangerine and mango fruit – really delicious. (RH)