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2018 Georges Vernay Condrieu Les Terrasses De l'Empire

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

June 4, 2023 - $61

Estimate

RATINGS

95Vinous / IWC

Incisive, mineral- and spice-driven pink grapefruit, pear and peach scents are complemented by building violet, iodine and floral nuances. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, offering deeply concentrated yet lithe orchard and pit fruit flavors braced by a spine of smoky minerality and a touch of bitter citrus zest. Finishes sappy, nervy and extremely long, leaving floral and candied ginger notes behind.

94Jeb Dunnuck

Medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless, it has terrific purity (especially given the heat in the vintage) as well as lots of white flower, salted citrus, tangerine, and a kiss of rocky minerality.

90The Wine Advocate

Flowers and apricots are joined by hints of white pepper in this medium to full-bodied effort...zesty and fresh, with a hint of citrus pith on the finish.

17Jancis Robinson

Such wonderful apricot fruit, yet there is a sense of restraint too, it isn't an all-singing, all-dancing number...balanced and fleshy, satisfyingly rich and exotic... Long and pithy on the finish, lots of apricot-skin character.

REGION

France, Rhône Valley, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

The Northern Rhône Valley wine region hugs the Rhône River from Vienne in the north to Valence at its southern tip. The French call the region Côtes du Rhône Septentrionales, and it is divided into eight appellations. Along with its neighbor to the south, the Southern Rhone Valley, it is famous for its big, tannic, intensely concentrated wines. Syrah is the only red grape permitted in AOC wines from this sub-region, though the Syrah can be blended with the white wine grapes Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, depending on the regulations for each AOC. White wines are made from Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Of the eight appellations in the north, the most admired wines tend to come from Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Hermitage, though there are certainly exceptional wines to be found in St. Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, St.-Peray, Crozes-Hermitage and Cornas. Along with Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, Rhône wines are among France’s best known and most collected wines. Red wines from these appellations are notable for their signature aromas of bacon and green olives, and for their depth. Robert M. Parker, a great champion of Rhone wines, has written that “the northern Rhône produces three of the greatest wines in the world – the white wines of Condrieu and the red wines of Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage.”