Domaine Blanc Christophe Condrieu Les Vallins 2015
Lavender, rose, pears, clematis. It has huge length and one of the delights has been how much non wine aficionados have enjoyed drinking this wine.
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Domaine Blanc Christophe Condrieu Les Vallins 2015
An exemplary Viognier that beautifully showcases the elegance and complexity of Condrieu wines. With its deep, golden hue, this wine immediately captivates the eye. The nose is greeted with a luxurious bouquet of ripe peaches, apricots, and honeysuckle, which are hallmark aromas of the Viognier grape. These rich fruit scents are delicately intertwined with floral notes of white flowers, orange blossom, and a hint of citrus zest, providing a refreshing lift to the wine’s aromatic profile.
On the palate, the Domaine Blanc Christophe Condrieu Les Vallins offers a sumptuous and creamy texture, a testament to its meticulous vinification process. The wine’s body is rich and opulent, yet it is balanced by a vibrant acidity that prevents it from feeling heavy. This balance creates a harmonious drinking experience, where the luscious fruit flavors of stone fruits, such as nectarines and yellow plums, are beautifully complemented by subtle mineral undertones. The wine’s minerality, derived from the region’s unique terroir, adds an extra layer of complexity and depth to its flavor profile.
Furthermore, this Condrieu displays nuanced notes of spice, including a touch of ginger and vanilla, which enhance the wine’s overall complexity without overpowering the delicate fruit and floral elements. As the wine evolves in the glass, hints of almond and honey emerge, adding to its intricate tapestry of flavors. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering impression of orchard fruits and a subtle touch of saline minerality.
The 2015 Domaine Blanc Christophe Condrieu Les Vallins is not just a wine; it is a sensory journey that reflects the exceptional craftsmanship of Domaine Blanc Christophe. This wine is ideal for pairing with dishes that highlight its richness and aromatic complexity, such as roasted poultry, creamy cheeses, or seafood dishes with a hint of spice. Whether enjoyed on its own or with food, this Condrieu promises a memorable and sophisticated tasting experience.
The production and aging process of the 2015 Domaine Blanc Christophe Condrieu Les Vallins is meticulous and reflects the dedication to quality that Christophe Blanc is known for. The vineyard is located in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, a region characterized by its continental climate and granitic soils with calcareous veins. The steep, terraced vineyards at an altitude of 340 meters benefit from the Mistral wind, which helps to maintain the freshness and acidity of the grapes.
Christophe Blanc practices organic viticulture, ensuring that the vines are cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. The grapes are hand-picked at the precise moment of optimal ripeness, which is crucial for preserving the wine’s vibrant acidity and freshness. The winery is located just 50 meters from the vineyards, allowing for immediate harvesting and minimal transportation time.
The wine undergoes fermentation in a mix of new and up to 4-year-old oak barrels (futs and demi-muids). This careful aging process allows the wine to develop its complex flavors and maintain its freshness and minerality. Christophe Blanc also minimizes the use of sulfur, adding only 30 to 40 mg/l, which is less than half the norm for the appellation. This approach contributes to the wine’s digestibility and sense of freedom.
The result is a wine that retains a marked granite-induced salinity on the finish, adding to its depth and complexity. The 2015 vintage is known for its age-worthiness, with the potential to be enjoyed well into the future
Nowadays Christophe Blanc farms a bit less than 5ha with vines in St Joseph and Côte-Rôtie. It all started in Condrieu when (in 2005) he planted 1.6ha high up (at 340m altitude) on the vertiginous shoulder of the hillside, in St-Michel-sur-Rhône, an extreme physical work even for a well-built rugby player! At the time Christophe also worked for Francois Villard for a couple of years, and has continued to help out there when needed. They are good friends and exchange lots of ideas on wine.
Living on the terraced slope, literally 50m away from some of his vines, Christophe can cherish them and pick grapes at the precise ‘bon moment’, retaining much more freshness than the norm in Condrieu. This prime granitic terroir, intersected by veins of limestone, ensures minerals and salt whilst the relatively young vines help to give more acidity, and so Christophe is able to push the ripeness of 10% of the grapes to bring complexity from noble rot.
Christophe is physically allergic to sulphur – it causes his throat to swell up, so he looks to use the minimum possible, bottling with a total of 30 to 40 mg/l (less than half the norm used in the appellation). His wines are raised in a mix of new to 4yo futs and demi-muids. They have a digeste quality and sense of freedom that is rare in the appellation, and there is a marked granite-induced salinity on the finishes.
Viognier
Viognier, pronounced “vee-own-yay,” is a captivating white wine grape variety with a rich and aromatic character.
On the palate, Viognier is viscous and full-bodied, akin to Chardonnay. Despite its sweet-smelling bouquet, Viognier is typically dry.
Viognier pairs beautifully with delicate meats or scallops flavored with stewed fruit, almonds, citrus, or aromatic herbs
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Viognier Wines available at Penventon Hotel
The Country
French wine, steeped in history and tradition, offers a rich tapestry of flavors and styles. Bordeaux’s iconic red blends—Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot—create wines with structured tannins and notes of blackcurrant, plum, and cedar. Burgundy’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay yield velvety reds and crisp whites. Champagne sparkles with toasty brioche and citrus. The Rhône Valley boasts bold Syrah, while Alsace’s Riesling and Gewürztraminer express floral aromas. From Provence’s pale rosés to Corsica’s sun-kissed Vermentino, each bottle tells a story. Santé!
France Wines available at Penventon Hotel
The Region
The Rhone Valley – Syrah reigns supreme here. From the Northern Rhône’s Hermitage to the Southern Rhône’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape, expect bold reds with blackberry, pepper, and violet aromas
Rhone Valley Wines available at Penventon Hotel
The Producer
Nowadays Christophe Blanc farms a bit less than 5ha with vines in St Joseph and Côte-Rôtie. It all started in Condrieu when (in 2005) he planted 1.6ha high up (at 340m altitude) on the vertiginous shoulder of the hillside, in St-Michel-sur-Rhône, an extreme physical work even for a well-built rugby player! At the time Christophe also worked for Francois Villard for a couple of years, and has continued to help out there when needed. They are good friends and exchange lots of ideas on wine.
Living on the terraced slope, literally 50m away from some of his vines, Christophe can cherish them and pick grapes at the precise ‘bon moment’, retaining much more freshness than the norm in Condrieu. This prime granitic terroir, intersected by veins of limestone, ensures minerals and salt whilst the relatively young vines help to give more acidity, and so Christophe is able to push the ripeness of 10% of the grapes to bring complexity from noble rot.
Christophe is physically allergic to sulphur – it causes his throat to swell up, so he looks to use the minimum possible, bottling with a total of 30 to 40 mg/l (less than half the norm used in the appellation). His wines are raised in a mix of new to 4yo futs and demi-muids. They have a digeste quality and sense of freedom that is rare in the appellation, and there is a marked granite-induced salinity on the finishes.
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