Château Grillet, Château-Grillet Viognier, Rhône, France, 2017

Overview of the Wine
The estate was acquired in June 2011 by the Pinault family, who own several other vineyards gathered under the Artémis Domaines label which are managed by Frédéric Engerer.

Château-Grillet has a rich history, illustrating perfectly the passion and devotion of many generations of men and women for this exceptional terroir.

The vineyards of Condrieu and Château-Grillet were planted by the emperor Probus in the 3rd century AD, from plants brought from Dalmatia. Numerous mosaics preserved at the archaeological site in Saint-Roman-en-Gal (around 12km away) confirm its origins and one of them shows a harvest scene including grape crushing. The early development of the vineyards in this region is probably linked to the Pax Romana. This allowed the ancient Gallic tribe the Allobroges, whose territory included part of the right bank of the Rhône facing Vienne, to acquire Roman citizenship and therefore have the right to plant vines.

Grape / Blend
Viognier

Origin
Rhône, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Château-Grillet is a wine for the initiated, which does not give up its secrets easily; it has great elegance, tightness and a magnificent aromatic complexity. It is a wine for cellaring, and requires patience until it reveals all its magic.

Its minerality is often accompanied by a freshness reminiscent of a sea breeze, sometimes even with hints of mint. The aromatic spectrum is wide and varied. Floral elegance (rose, violet, lime-blossom) and soft fruitiness (pear, pineapple, apricot) can also accompany warmer, more indulgent notes such as honey, nougat, hazelnut, vanilla, white truffle, or spices like saffron.

A remarkably well-balanced wine, dominated by its fat which is nicely offset by the excellent acidity. Château-Grillet is a perfect match for truffled foie gras, roast turbot, grilled lobster, scallops or Bresse chicken in cream sauce. Pairings with Asian cuisine, spicy foods and sweet-and-sour flavours can also provide wonderful experiences.

97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Bottled just two weeks prior to my visit, the 2017 Chateau Grillet was still looking awfully good for having been fined, filtered and stuck into a confined space. It's a forward, opulent vintage, boasting flamboyant stone-fruit flavors dressed up with hints of jasmine and white pepper. While full-bodied and rich, it never seems heavy or oily, boasting a long, cool, refreshing finish. Wow!

96 Points - Decanter 
 

Product size: 750ml