Xavier Gerard Condrieu Cote Chatillon 2018 Viognier 《風土系列-TF1017》

產區 / 級別 :  Condrieu，Rhone

葡萄品種 : 100% Viognier

酒精度 : 14.5% vol

網站介紹:  https://www.madrose.com/producers/france/cotes-du-rhone-north/xavier-gerard/

🏅John Livingstone-Learmonth 4 Stars

The bright and soulful Xavier Gerard came across as an even-keeled personality, passionate and thoughtful. At the time, he was making just one wine - Viognier.

The Gerard family was about to transition the full holdings of the estate into Xavier’s hands, which was an exciting prospect for both the Gerard family and RWM. Now that Xavier has had a full vintage to get his bearings and apply his philosophy to the family estate. 

The estate accesses impressive holdings in Condrieu and Cote-Rotie, with the majority of the vines under estate ownership, though a small component of rented vineyards is also included. Of the 3.5 hectare of AOC Condrieu under their watch, 3 hectare are estate-owned, while 2.2 hectare of the 3.2 hectare of Cote-Rotie vineyards belong to the family. A tiny parcel of Saint Joseph rounds out the holdings. The steep, craggy slopes of the vineyards demand that all work be done manually, and Xavier continues the traditional practices in the cellar, with spontaneous fermentation and classic Northern Rhone elevage, mostly in older barrels of demi-muid size. The estate produces five wines.

After fermentation in cuve, the wine spends one year in a mix of 500L and 225L barrels, the vast majority of which are old. The richness of the fruit is placed in balance by bright acidity, in a masterfully-controlled wine. A liveliness and notes of spice carry through the pleasing finish. We have also been fortunate to taste some older examples of this wine, which showed an excellent capacity for cellaring.