Niero Condrieu Chery 2018

Niero Condrieu Chery is 100 percent Viognier.

Truly aromatic explosive expression, this wonderful vintage makes one appreciate both its richness and complexity. 
its full and savory taste in the mouth together with a beautiful mineraltaste drives us to a lasting and generous final taste.

The grapes are coming from a 0.8 hectare (2 acres) vineyard. 
The terroirs is made of decomposed granite soil on the slopes of the famous hillside of "Chéry". 
Vines are 30 years old on average.

Pair with sweetbreads cooked with morels, grilled white fish with green asparagus' risotto, veal chop, Japanese food.

Review:

"Lastly, and up with the crème de la crème of the appellation, the 2016 Condrieu Chéry is about as textbook as it gets. Apricots, buttered citrus, flowers, and an undeniable minerality all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, layered, multi-dimensional beauty that carries tons pure fruit, yet stays balanced and pure. Bravo!"

- Jeb Dunnuck (Northern Rhône: The Blockbuster 2015s and Elegant 2016s, January 2018), 96 pts

Niero Condrieu Chery is 100 percent Viognier.

Truly aromatic explosive expression, this wonderful vintage makes one appreciate both its richness and complexity. 
its full and savory taste in the mouth together with a beautiful mineraltaste drives us to a lasting and generous final taste.

The grapes are coming from a 0.8 hectare (2 acres) vineyard. 
The terroirs is made of decomposed granite soil on the slopes of the famous hillside of "Chéry". 
Vines are 30 years old on average.

Pair with sweetbreads cooked with morels, grilled white fish with green asparagus' risotto, veal chop, Japanese food.

Review:

"A deep, rich and mineral-laced style of Condrieu, Niero’s 2014 Condrieu Chéry is loaded with notions of apple blossom, honeyed tangerine, smoke and citrus. Coming all from the famed granite soils of the Chéry lieu-dit (which is one of the top terroirs in Condrieu and consist of mostly 50- to 80-year-old vines), this medium to full-bodied beauty has plenty of mid-palate depth, good acidity and a focused, yet lengthy feel on the palate. Aged 12 months in 60% stainless steel and 40% in oak, it’s a terrific success in this less than straightforward vintage.- Jeb Dunnuck"
- The Wine Advocate (Issue #222, December 2015), 92 pts

Brilliant yellow-gold. Powerful peach, melon and tangerine aromas, backed by floral and honey nuances. Silky and open-knit, showing very good heft and thrust to the juicy citrus and pit fruit flavors. Rich yet lively thanks to a core of acidity that drives a long, ginger-accented finish. Textbook Condrieu, and the type I'd drink with decadent foods, like sweetbreads or Veal Oscar. Blue cheeses would also work well.-Tanzer 93 Points

Seña is an authentic Chilean blend made from the finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot varieties. The Carmenere variety adds an evident Chilean personality to the wine.

COMPOSITION: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec 15% Carmenere, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot WINEMAKER’S NOTES “Of a deep violet red colour, the complexity on the nose conceals its many subtleties, unfolding floral notes alongside red and black fruits, denoting its distinctive freshness. Several layers are unveiled delivering notes of cedar, tobacco, bitter chocolate and truffles. An elegant, tense and yet very attractive wine, it generously offers fresh and juicy fruit that reminds of blueberries, raspberries, some spices and Cuban cigar box notes. Above all, Seña 2018 is a truly captivating wine that accomplishes a unique balance between power and elegance. I believe we are beholding one of the greatest vintages ever crafted in the 25 years of Seña’s history.”

An iconic decision is made from the heart. Following the sign of his intuition, in 1995 Eduardo Chadwick pioneered a joint venture with Robert Mondavi to handcraft a world-class Chilean wine. Chadwick searched alongside Mondavi for four long years before finding the ideal terroir in Chile’s Valle de Aconcagua that spoke to their instincts. Seña is the culmination of their vision – an expression of consummate quality and character.

Review:

This is a very thoughtful Seña that shows unique aromas of warm earth, mushrooms and conifer, turning to dark berries and black olives. The palate is more glamorous with ultra-fine tannins that envelop your palate. Shows power and vibrancy at the end. Toned muscles. It’s a very intellectual wine that harkens back to the 2015. Blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 18% malbec, 15% carmenere, 7% cabernet franc and 5% merlot. - James Suckling  100 Points

Alain Jaume Condrieu La Butte d'Or is made from 100 percent Viognier.

The wine comes from vineyards planted on hillsides and soils that are covered with granite. The east and south-east exposures offer an environment where the Viognier expresses the best of its aromatic potential. La Butte d'Or Condrieu shows a golden yellow color, a complex nose of exotic fruits and hints of apricot. The palate exhibits some brioche notes that mingle with the delicate flavors of white peach and apricot compote. This Condrieu reveals its typical racy character with a long and fine finish.

Manual harvesting of the grapes at moderate maturity to maintain a white wine with intense but balanced and fresh aromas. Fermentation on the lees at 15 ° C for 10 months in fine-grained oak barrels. 10% of new barrels maximum. Stirring of the lees once a week.

Enjoy up to 5 years with fish dishes with sauce, terrine of foie gras, veal with cream, mushrooms, soft cheeses.

Alain Jaume Condrieu La Butte d'Or is made from 100 percent Viognier.

The wine comes from vineyards planted on hillsides and soils that are covered with granite. The east and south-east exposures offer an environment where the Viognier expresses the best of its aromatic potential. La Butte d'Or Condrieu shows a golden yellow color, a complex nose of exotic fruits and hints of apricot. The palate exhibits some brioche notes that mingle with the delicate flavors of white peach and apricot compote. This Condrieu reveals its typical racy character with a long and fine finish.

Manual harvesting of the grapes at moderate maturity to maintain a white wine with intense but balanced and fresh aromas. Fermentation on the lees at 15 ° C for 10 months in fine-grained oak barrels. 10% of new barrels maximum. Stirring of the lees once a week.

Enjoy up to 5 years with fish dishes with sauce, terrine of foie gras, veal with cream, mushrooms, soft cheeses.

Alain Jaume Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue is made from 65% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Old vines Cinsault

Deep, intense hue. Aromas of fresh black fruit a little meaty, with dried herbs smells. On the palate, the richness of the tannins harmonizes with the smoothness of the wine. The finish is long, with spices aromas, licorice. A typical wine from this specific terroir called "Les Garrigues".

Soil type Vacqueyras is located right next to Gigondas AOC. It mostly streches on Sarrians territory, where is the famous plateaux named “Les Garrigues”. This area is made of clay and rocks. The beautiful landscape of the “garrigue” is typical of the mediterranean area. The wines itself smell the spices, the dried herbs…you will taste the “Garrigue” in your glass, welcome to Provence … Winemaking & ageing Traditional winemakeing methods, temperature controlled fermentation. Long soaking on the skins.

Review:

"Deeper colored, the 2018 Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue offers plenty of spicy characteristics as well as dark fruits and classic peppery garrigue. It’s medium to full-bodied, has wonderful fruit, offers ripe tannins, and is just a smoking Vacqueyras with loads to love."

- Jeb Dunnuck (September 2019, Southern Rhône Part 2: 2017 & 2018 from Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Cairanne, and Rasteau), 90-92 pts