Georges Vernay, Les Chaillees de l'Enfer Condrieu 2016

97 points Jeb Dunnuck
"Even better, the 2016 Condrieu Les Chaillees de l'Enfer is vinified and aged in 25% new French oak (it’s made in the same fashion as the Coteau de Vernon). It would probably be the wine of the vintage if it wasn’t for its big brother. This vibrant gold-colored beauty boasts a huge nose of citrus blossom, tangerine, white flowers, citrus zest, and ample minerality. This is all about purity, finesse, and focus, with medium body, good acidity, and a terrific sense of salty minerality on the finish. It’s another brilliant wine from Madame Vernay."

96 points Wine Spectator
"This is delightful, with the exotic apricot, nectarine and quince flavors typical of Condrieu but energized by ripples of honeysuckle, verbena and minerality throughout. Reveals an echo of bitter orange through the finish. Drink now through 2022."

Jancis Robinson
"Buttery, rich, more oak-centric than their Terrasses de l'Empire. Superb apricot character too, though – shows just how well oak and Viognier can mix when there are top-quality ingredients and a deft hand. Really impressive, with such wonderful texture and intensity. Lovely hint of minerality on the finish. 18/20 points. (RH)".

Vinous Reverie Notes
Les Chaillées de l’Enfer is a wine with incredible charm. It blends fruit (apricot, pear, white peaches) with citrus fruits, waxy notes and other more floral (white flowers, rose, violets), more vegetal (mint, thyme, etc.) and spicy (ginger, saffron) notes. A tight Condrieu with saline and iodine tones, elegant, with a lovely freshness, this is a white of great purity with a perfect balance that could be called closed and tense.