Not really a TN: Alfred Perret Condrieu "Chery"

[Patchen (Chicago)]

A few weeks back Andrea and I had what was, a little to our surprise, our first Condrieu, off a restaurant wine list. I wasn't taking notes at the time, and in fact I can't recall the vintage (although I know it was one of 2000, 2001, or 2002); but I was struck by the degree of focus the wine had: by (what I think of as) Viognier standards it was austere, with a really nice flowery nose that become sleeker and sharper in the mouth. Honestly, I'd never really put the effort into researching the various producers of Condrieu, mainly because I don't see many of them on the shelves, and when I've tried to track one down (usually in response to an especially strongly worded review from Yaniger) I've always gotten the sense-never in so many words, mind you-that I'd need to visit the Rhône with substantial quantities of cash and all of my first-born children sewn into my clothing if I wanted any of <i>that</i>. All of this is a roundabout way of saying that the Perret Chery is really good and might be to the taste of other blowsophobes; and of asking (of those who know the style): what else should we look for?

cheers

Patchen

[Jenise]

All of this is a roundabout way of saying that the Perret Chery is really good and might be to the taste of other blowsophobes; and of asking (of those who know the style): what else should we look for?

Good question. Texier might be one, if by "what else" you are asking for producer suggestions. (See Jack Everitt's note above.)

[Patchen (Chicago)]

Oh, good idea! NBI, here I come...

[JC (NC)]

I've liked Rostaing "La Bonnette." It has the complexity that marks it as special.