| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Rhône > Northern Rhône > Château Grillet |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
The 2020 Château-Grillet knocks it out of the park. Vinified from just-ripe fruit harvested between the 26th and 31st of August, it dazzles with outstanding purity and complexity. Fragrant linden blossom, chamomile and saffron mingle with white peach, apricot and cedar. Less oily and more delicate than in 2019, the 2020 Château-Grillet is built on finesse and intensity rather than power. Finely nuanced lemon peel, jasmine, melon and nutty hints add further layers to the delicious palate. The quintessential 2020 closes with an enticing phenolic grip on the lingering finish. 6,900 bottles produced.
Noticeably more oak than their Condrieu (10% new oak here), but this should settle - the score assumes that it will. Rounded, a touch of bubblegum to the jasmine and coconut fruits. Distinctly more saline than the other two wines in the range, it's voluminous but not heavy, with less alcohol than recent years, making for a nicely balanced vintage. Doesn't have the concentration and intensity of some recent vintages, but a very drinkable vintage of Château-Grillet with a long finish showing plentiful oak spice.
Pressed and vinified plot by plot since the winery renovation in 2012. Fermented in thermoregulated steel vats. Malolactic fermentation is either in vat or barrel depending on the plot. The wine is aged in 20% new French oak barrels for 18 months. The 2020 was harvested at 32hl/ha, a real success volume wise after several years of perilously low yields. Bright lemon-straw colour. The nose is almost reminiscent of Corton Charlemagne and hides the more caricaturish elements of Viognier completely. Fresh nuts, struck flint and mandarin oil all come through on the nose. The palate has apricot stones, a deeply stony character and a rich viscosity. There are layers of subtle spice from the wood - this is much more integrated and complementary than some of the 100% new oak "super cuvee" Condrieus in the market. Oily, succulent and rich, there is a deeply savoury tone and tangy freshness that builds to the finish. This is tightly wound and will only improve with time in the bottle.
