Julien Pilon Condrieu Lone 2019
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With an elegant nose where citrus notes stand out. The palate offers a beautiful flavor making the whole very digestible.
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Wine Spectator
Alluring, with creamy-textured melon, pear and apricot flavors, infused with subtle almond, orange blossom and anise notes. A subtle mineral edge peeks in, as the lengthy finish plays out. Drink now.
Although a native to the region, Julien Pilon was not from a family of vintners. Studying winemaking at the university, he worked passionately producing wines in regions from Roussillon to Spain. After extensive travel, Julien returned to his birthplace of Chavanay, determined to make a name for himself.
His tutelage with Pierre-Jean Villa, Patrice Porte and Pierre Gaillard of Côte-Rotie fame, cemented his belief in his talent and Julien Pilon began to plant his roots. In 2010, located on the right bank of the Rhône Valley with Condrieu terroir, Julien started crafting a range of micro-négoce wines from local sources.
Over 10 years later, with the Domaine developed, a team created and winery built, Pilon is producing some of the most exciting Rhône wines of genuine flair and class, attracting enthusiastic attention from noteworthy critics. Creating his first wine in his parents garage, Julien focused on producing wines that respected the identity of their terroir, offering both concentration and finesse.
“I want to show how essential the notion of terroir is. My work in terms of harvest selection, vinification and aging goes in this direction, respecting the identity of each wine.”
Full-figured and charmingly floral, Viognier is one of the most important white grapes of the northern Rhône where it is used both to produce single varietal wines and as an important blending grape. Look for great New World examples from California, Oregon, Washington and cooler parts of Australia. Somm Secret—Viognier plays a surprisingly important role in the red wines of Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône. About 5% Viognier is typically co-fermented with the Syrah in order to stabilize the color, and as an added benefit, add a subtle perfume.
As the source of some of the most vibrant and powerful white wines in France, Condrieu is uniquely situated in one of the northern outposts of the Rhone River. It is the original Viognier appellation with a wine growing history reaching back well over two thousand years. Like most of the wine regions of the Northern Rhone, Condrieu’s vines grow on extremely steep and narrow granite terraces. But what makes the region unique is a topsoil, locally called, “arzelle,” made of decomposed mica. This and a sheltering of the harsh northern winds, make optimal sites to produce opulent and brilliant Viognier. It is a tiny zone with no room for expansion and produces miniscule amounts of wine each year, contributing to its allure.
A fine Condrieu will have aromas and flavors suggestive of ripe stone fruit, lime peel, green almond, ginger, white flowers and toasted nuts. A honeyed smell may mislead you to think the wine will be sweet but the modern style favors totally dry on the palate. Its texture will be full and soft but a touch of mineral will provide great balance.