2011 Condrieu Les Terrasses de l'Empire
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Similarly-styled, with maybe a touch more minerality, the 2011 Condrieu Les Terrasses de l’Empire is a beautifully pure, fresh and focused white that yields ample white peach, apricot and citrus aromas and flavors. Enjoy it over the coming 3-4 years. While easily producing one of the top lineups of Condrieu, this estate is increasingly focusing on high quality reds as well. Importer: Martine’s Wine, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-0400
Critic scores
Average Score
Josh Raynolds
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Pale yellow. Pungent citrus fruits, pear, minerals, white flowers and white pepper on the nose, which shows impressive purity. Densely packed but lithe and precise, offering intense lemon curd and pear skin flavors and a suave touch of honeydew. A long, vibrant finish features notes of citrus zest and dusty minerals. The 2010 version of this wine, which I underrated at 92 points last year, is showing extremely well today, with a firm spine of minerality and excellent focus.
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.