Domaine les Alexandrins Condieu NV Domaine les Alexandrins Condieu NV

Domaine les Alexandrins Condrieu - 2020

Domaine les Alexandrins - The Expression of the Rhône Valley Terroir. A wine with exotic notes, all strength and lushness, our Condrieu is vinified using methods that faithfully uphold local traditions.

Description

A partnership between three winegrowers in the Rhône Valley – Nicolas Jaboulet, Guillaume Sorrel and Alexandre Caso – Domaine les Alexandrins crafts wines in the purest tradition of the Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph appellations. They are made from exceptional terroirs, ensuring the very finest expression of the appellation. Our Condrieu comes from a rare terroir, known as La Caille, located above Condrieu.

Terroir

Granite soil. The vines are tended in a traditional way, using methods that respect the terroir, thereby encouraging biodiversity and drawing out the very best from the grapes. This is why some of our centenary vine stocks are able to withstand the tests of time and continue to give their best.

The vintage

After the hail damage of 2019, we had to nurse our vineyards back to health with a range of gentle but complementary nutrients. This made 2020 a technically exacting year, especially since the weather reserved many surprises for us. Spring was extraordinarily hot and dry and, despite a short break in June when some welcome rain fell, summer saw a continuation of drought conditions right up until the harvest. With a high risk of mildew at the start of the season, constant and unpredictable winds, powdery mildew half way through the season and the threat of high temperatures and scorching, we were spared nothing, and it required a major effort to cope. Fortunately, the occasional shower, fairly cool nights and morning dew meant the vines did not suffer too much from the summer heat, and all our hard work seems to have paid off with the promise of a fine vintage. To avoid the hottest moments of the day, we began picking from 6 am so as to pick the grapes while they were cool. We began with the whites on August 19 and continued with the reds through until September 16. First tastings revealed aromatic wines of great freshness, with degrees rarely exceeding 13.5°. After so many twists and turns, it is a vintage that reverts to origin in a very “Northern Rhône” style, after the mediterranean vintages of 2018 and 2019.

Location

An Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée in the northern Rhône Valley since 1940, the Condrieu vineyard lies at the northernmost part of the Rhône Valley, on the right bank of the river, between the Côte-Rôtie and Saint-Joseph appellations. This terroir only produces white wines from the Viognier grape variety, whose earliest vines were first grown in Roman times.

Process

- Harvested by hand.
- Grapes picked just before they are ripe to preserve their acidity.
- The juice is fermented in demi-muids (600-litre capacity oak barrels) and barrels.
- Quantity limited to just 1,500 bottles.

Varietal

Viognier : 100%

Tasting

Beautiful shiny gold-colour with golden reflections. Particularly seductive, the nose immediately reveals the exotic flavours of Condrieu with notes of white peaches and spices. Powerful with great structure, this wine is voluptuous on the palate, with a nice balance.

Food pairings

Aromatically powerful, the Condrieu pairs exceedingly well with seafood (king prawns and crayfish) or spicy dishes such as a curry.

Serving

Serve between 10°C and 12°C. Right now: powerful and charming. Cellaring time: ideally, open within 4 years.


Reviews


92/100
"A rich and creamy Condrieu with plenty of ripe pineapple and fresh apricot, plus hints of lemon blossom and grapefruit. The typical, soft acidity of the viognier grape, but the fine tannins make up for this and create impressive harmony through the long finish. The first vintage of this wine, from a 0.28-hectare vineyard with granite soil. Limited production. Drink now."
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93/100
"An aromatic bouquet with notes of orange blossoms, candied peach and apricot, gently embraced by delicate lilies, drizzled with fresh honey and stony undertones. The texture is oily, featuring a touch of bitter white tea in the midpalate and a lengthy vanilla and popcorn finish."
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