Delas Frères Condrieu Clos Boucher
Rhône, France
Vintage:2022 (Current)
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Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points
The 2022 Condrieu Clos Boucher might be the closest thing to a Château Grillet out there. Beautifully pure stone fruits, crushed stone, white peach, and minty flower notes all define the aromatics, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied, concentrated, has a focused, elegant mouthfeel, and one heck of a great finish. Drink 2025-2035.
The Wine Advocate 93 Points
Crafted from vines planted close to Ch. Grillet, the 2022 Condrieu Clos Boucher displays a ripe bouquet of almonds, apricots, jasmine, flowers and spices. Medium to full-bodied, textured and enveloping, it's sappy with a lovely oaky mid-palate, leading to a long, delicate and ethereal finish. Fresh and beautifully balanced, this vintage captures the essence of Condrieu, presenting itself as a classic in the making.
Wine Spectator 94 Points
A densely packed version, with a beautiful range to its green herb and juicy apricot notes, flecked with fresh green herbs and a flicker of menthol. Totally complete, with all systems firing in unison in this complex, vibrant, full-bodied white. Cooling stone minerality courses through the long, solid finish. Drink now through 2030.
Vinous Media 93 Points
The 2022 Condrieu Clos Boucher outperforms the La Galopine from the same vintage, offering more freshness, complexity and finesse. Vinified from Viognier grapes harvested on the 22nd of August, the 2022 introduces itself with pronounced nettle, apricot, white peach and lemon flesh tones. The crisp acidity can be traced back to the purposely blocked malolactic fermentation. Concluding with saline and wet stone hints on the focused finish, the medium- to full-bodied 2022 is exquisite.
JamesSuckling.com 95 Points
Complex nose of very ripe peaches, coconut and tropical flowers. Rich and silky with excellent concentration. It’s very finely nuanced on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Creamy on the mid-palate, then so silky in the very long finish. Matured in Burgundian oak barrels for one year, then a further six months on the lees in stainless steel. Drink or hold.
Overview
The Condrieu is one of the world‘s most elite winegrowing regions. The steep vineyards are difficult to cultivate, and as a result only 50 acres in Condrieu are currently under vine. Located on the right bank in Verin, near Château Grillet, Clos Boucher is one of Condrieu‘s oldest vineyards. Planted on five acres of granite slopes rising above the river, with southern exposure, Clos Boucher‘s 35-year-old vines consistently produce grapes of perfect maturity. This wine is produced only in the very best years, and in quantities that are deliberately limited each vintage.
The climate is moderately continental, hot and dry in summer, regular rainfalls during the other seasons. The vineyard has often been a victim of history and almost disappeared on several occasions, during the barbarian invasions, in the days of the “Grandes Compagnies” (in the 17th and 18th centuries) and, more recently, at the end of the 19th century, with the phylloxera infestation. Well before the modern period, the trading port of Condrieu and its river fleet carried the reputation of its wines far and wide.
Winemaking
This cuvée is the result of a plot selection. The grapes are sourced exclusively from the estate's Clos Boucher vineyards, a handful of granite soil blocks enjoying southern exposure, similar to neighboring Château Grillet. This wine is produced only in the very best years, and in quantities that are deliberately limited to 8,00 bottles per vintage. After pressing and racking, the must is entirely fermented in new oak casks.
Tasting Notes
Clos Boucher is light gold in color, with some deeper golden tinges. Its nose shows deep aromas that are reminiscent of exotic fruit and crystalized peach. This is a very concentrated wine which produces a lots of intense, ripe flavors on the palate. Its smooth texture is enhanced by a subtle touch of oak, which gives it an added dimension and distinctive character.
Food Pairing
This wine pairs well with asparagus, steamed fish on a butter sauce, and citrus oven roasted chicken.
Technical Information
Varietals: 100% Viognier
Harvest Start Date: August 22, 2022
Aging: 6-8 months in 40% new, 40% 1-year 228-litre oak casks, 20% stainless steel