2018 Condrieu Cote Chatillon

A late-picked effort bottled in 500-milliliter format, the 2018 Condrieu Cote Chatillon Vendangé le 31 Octobre boasts 12% alcohol and 140+ grams per liter of residual sugar. Gérard made only a single new demi-muid of this elixir, stopping the fermentation when he felt it was appropriately balanced and filtering the wine afterward to remove any remaining yeast. Unmarked by botrytis, the wine offers up scents of incredibly ripe yet clean apricots, plus hints of quince, pear and orange marmalade. It's full-bodied, opulent and luscious, with a long, silky-textured finish.