Domaine Georges Vernay, Condrieu, Les Terrasses de l'Empire

Brought to drink at Oinoscent, left to breathe for 30min, no decant -/- The wine shows medium golden color. In the nose, the wine shows a more evolved profile than the Chailles d'Enfer tasted the day before. The flavor profile is more to the overripe/marmelade/cooked side, with some sweet spices and vanilla too. It feels rather heavy from the nose alone. In the palate, the wine lacks the intensity of Chailles, the acidity is quite lower, overripe and cooked stone …

Pop and pour. Upon opening, walnuts, butterscotch and apples. Second glass, classic apricots and mirabelle plums. So fresh and didn't feel heavy. Not tired at all.

A mis du temps à se révéler. Meilleur 24h plus tard, où le nez et la bouche ont gagné en ampleur

Lunch au QG Joli nez de noix de pin, d'anis, avec un coté floral. Un belle bouche minérale, un brin perlante au début, long, avec un petit coté lactique en finale. Un vin élégant, pas très tendu, frais et original. Très bien, j'étais sur un St-Jo de Guigal.... 90-91 pts

Lunch au QG. Doré pâle. Au nez, côté floral qui ressort, miel, épices, fruits. En bouche, touche oxydative comme saveur et non comme problème du vin, sur la pomme brunie. Il y a aussi de la poire et un beau côté épicé.

The wine needs like 20 minutes to hit its stride. We would even suggest decanting where possible. The nose sheds its oaky notes post this point and develops a nice honey dominated side, with good ripe fruit. On the palate it has good weight, vibrant ripe fruit and nice length. Granted likes a bit of complexity but a great wine nonetheless. Drinks nicely at this stage. 92

Light nose showing hints of viognier fruit and spice, this definitely needs a little air, and shows better nearer room temp, with reserved but flavorful fruit, on the learner side, some nice waxy character, hints of spice and some round minerality. On the crisper, leaner side, a very nice food wine. No idea how this will age, I would drink on the younger side.

(at Vin sur Vin – Paris) Top drawer Condrieu. Typical, pure nose of honeysuckle and white flowers. What sets this a part is the incredibly deep palate that is in perfect balance. Almost seems light on its feet – which is remarkable. Lingering. (93)

Light viognier nose that portends the palate, which is a bit reserved and lean, though shows some flashes of nice flavor; hint of tartness, good overall balance, and some nice stony minerality through the finish. Not a flamboyant, exuberant style as some other 2010s can be, but very pleasant. Perhaps a little time will improve this, but I tend to like my Viognier on the younger, fresher side.

Rhone, Rhone on the Range (Jeff & Chuck's, Mountain View, California) : Very light color. Sharp nose with a little bit of brett. Average palate.

Northern Rhones (K&L Wines, San Francisco) : Medium yellow. Pear fruit. Medium weight, just off dry, carressing feel, underplayed subtle florality unlike most Condrieu. Really good.

This wine changed my view of viognier forever. Beautiful, expressive nose. Fruit, minerality, acidity and a long finish -- this wine has it all.

Nicely balanced and went well with my scallops starter. Very floral and expressive nose with a hint of honey on the palate.