Grapelive Wine of the Day

By Kerry Winslow

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2010 Domaine Georges Vernay Viognier “Le Pied de Samson” VdP des Collines Rhodaniennes, Rhone White, France.
Christine Vernay is a master with Viognier and has projects around the world promoting grape, but it is her Northern Rhone wines that grab most of the attention, though I must mention that her Viognier from work in Cortona, in Tuscany is looking very promising for D’Alessandro. She a legend in Condrieu and her wines from there are masterpieces of elegance and pleasure, so it was very interesting to try this Viognier to see where it fit in. The 2010 “Le Pied de Samson” comes from just outside the boundaries of Condrieu, but it has the same character and seems utterly complete and focused with tight acidity and loads of mineral essence. While not as lush or full as her beautiful Condrieu this brisk and crunchy crisp style of Viognier should wine her a new set of admirers and the restaurant wine buyers will find this wine much loved by customers for price and ease of use, as it will be a great food wine. The nose has classic honeysuckle and jasmine with crushed stones and peach pit before a tangy palate with white plum, apricot, bright citrus and chalk rock. The finish hints at tropical fruits and mineral, but fresh acidity really keeps everything in check and tightly wound, look for a bit more roundness and depth in a year or so in bottle.
($39 Est.) 92-93 Points, grapelive

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