1997 Condrieu La Doriane
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The single-vineyard Condrieu La Doriane has become one of the three or four finest wines of the appellation. Made from a 4.5 acre parcel, this offering is spectacular in 1997. The 1997 Condrieu La Doriane achieved nearly 14% natural alcohol. Aged in 50% new oak and 50% stainless steel tanks, the wine is put through a complete malolactic fermentation, giving it a creamy, unctuous texture, a trait especially evident in the 1997. While dry, the wine possesses a fabulous nose of tropical fruits intermixed with floral scents and an underlying minerality. Intensely aromatic, spicy, and super-rich, this sensational La Doriane is the finest Guigal has produced from this hillside vineyard overlooking the famous Condrieu hotel/restaurant, Beau-Rivage. Importer: Fred Ek, Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA; tel. (805) 686-9153
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Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Oakier, spicier nose features coconut and cinnamon. Strong, thick and concentrated, but quite dry, with more finesse and structure than the above. Here the acids seem firmer, but I don't get the citric notes shown in years with higher acidity. Dry, very persistent back end. Rather oaky. A strict trie is done here because healthy skins are a basic requirement for macération pelliculaire . "Have you ever wanted to make a botrytis Condrieu?" I asked Marcel Guigal's son Philippe. "Never," he replied. "My father started with Condrieu back when the appellation had shrunk to just seven hectares, after sweet wines had practically ruined Condrieu."