MNSC Rhone Trip Day 2: Georges Vernay

Visit to Georges Vernay in Condrieu.  Received by Christine Vernay and her husband Paul Amsellem.

Learned a lot about Condrieu from Paul.  Nowadays Condrieu vineyards are only on the steep slopes; anything on the plateau at 300m or above cannot be classified as Condrieu.

2010 Georges Vernay Viognier Le Pied de Samson - lots of white flowers, chalk, minerals, ripe, tropical fruits like peach, sweet on the nose.  Acidic on finish.

2010 Georges Vernay Condrieu Les Terrasses des l'Empire - made with fruit from 40-year old vines.  Riper, more intense and powerful nose, a bit toasty, minerals, lots of apricot and peach.  Definitely felt the acidity on the finish, thanks to the minerality.

2010 Georges Vernay Condrieu Les Chaillées de l'Enfer - more minerals on the nose, very ripe, still fruity and sweet.  Richer, with flowers and licorice.  Better acidity balance.  The wine sees 25% new oak.

2009 Georges Vernay Condrieu Coteau de Vernon - very ripe, a little caramelized sugar, tropical fruits on the nose.  Ripe on the palate with good acidity balance.  A little alcoholic.  Production is up to 7,000 bottles.

2010 Georges Vernay Syrah Fleur de Mai - made with fruit from wines planted in the 60s on the plateau, that was originally planted with peach trees.  Really ripe and sweet on the nose, spicy with a little animal notes.

2009 Georges Vernay Côte du Rhône Sainte-Agathe - also made with Syrah planted in the Condrieu area.  More smoky, spicy, leather, a little pungent, farm, minty with exotic spices.

2009 Georges Vernay Saint-Joseph Terres d'Encre - big nose with ripe and sweet fruit, a bit spicy.

2009 Georges Vernay Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur - made with 8% Viognier and 30% new oak.  Perfumed nose, fragrant, ripe black fruits, and sweet.

2007 Georges Vernay Côte-Rôtie Maison Rouge - made from 100% Syrah with 30% new oak.  Nose was much more open and powerful, with animal and pencil lead notes.  Tannins are a little more silky given a few extra years' of aging.  Production is up to 7,000 bottles.

Lunch at Georges Vernay.  Details of the lunch are here.

1990 Georges Vernay Condrieu - wow!  First time for me to taste such an old Viognier!  Nose of straw, beeswax and a little honey.  The floral notes are long gone.  I have a new appreciation for how this grape varietal ages.

1997 Georges Vernay Côte-Rôtie Maison Rouge- Christine's first vintage after entering the business.  A little smoky, minty, smoked meats.  Very lovely.