Wines

from the winery:

When it comes to making Viognier, we aim for a very different style than what is typically produced in California, showcasing what can be done with the variety on the extremes of the coast. Effusively aromatic but not at all heavy like most Viognier, it bursts forth with a bright, vibrant, floral personality that is unlike any Viognier you’ve ever tasted. White flowers, citrus, unripe pineapple, and minerals dominate the aromas, while the palate is distinctively atypical for Viognier. A lemony freshness with notes of pomelo, barely ripe white nectarine, sweet white grapefruit, and pineapple core, braced by tremendously fresh acidity and super mineral finish.

250 cases produced
Fermented & aged 6 months 80% stainless steel & 20% neutral French oak
No malolactic fermentation
Drink now thru 2032
Alc: 14.0%

A Central Coast bottling that is often more than 75% from their own vineyard. This showcases the forward heady stone fruit of this variety.  It is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel and bottled early.  

94 Points! A terrific Condrieu, the 2023 Condrieu Deponcins has tons of sautéed peach, honeyed orange, and perfumed floral and spice nuances on the nose. It's medium to full-bodied, ripe, round, and beautifully textured on the palate, with a good sense of freshness as well as a kiss of minerality on the finish. - Jeb Dunnuck

Villard makes four different Condrieu wines and three are single vineyards. Villard owns three hectares in the Poncins vineyard in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône and makes two wines from this parcel. DePoncins comes from 25 year old vines. Aged for 11 months, without racking, in 30% new barrels and 70% in barrels that are three to five years old. Great intensity and minerality.

94 Points! Fragrant white blossoms, honeysuckle and ripe stone fruit define this Viognier from declassified Condrieu. Cool fermentation in used oak barrels and six months of weekly bâtonnage bring richness and texture. The palate is silky and balanced, unfolding into a long, unctuous finish with mineral poise. - Decanter Magazine

93 Points! A lush, broad version, with creamed peach and apricot racing alongside heather, bitter almond and green herbs. A salty mineral vein keeps the energy high, with flickers of salted butter and smoke at the end, which shows bitter contrast. Drink now through 2028.- Wine Spectator

This comes from vines planted just after the turn of this century. Soil is thin and shallow, made up of schist and gneiss on top of granite, and harvest is by hand on the early side because the aim here is to have a Viognier with freshness and tension rather than voluptuousness. Ferments are spontaneous and two-thirds of the wine is aged in steel while the rest is brought up in older barrels and demi-muids.

Vines planted on steep slopes (with a grade of up to 55%) facing south by south-east. Grapes are hand picked and pressed gently in a pneumatic press. Fermentation in stainless steel cuves. Aged 11 months on lees, 10% new barrels, 30% 2 to5 year-old barrels, and 60% stainless steel.

94 Points! A well-rounded. textural and succulent white with notes of fresh lemons, blanched almonds, sage and some stones. It’s medium-bodied with a mineral drive. Succulent green apple character, with a positive bitterness throughout. It’s precise, lively and textured with a salivating, floral finish. Drink or hold. - jamessuckling.com

93 Points! Prominent quince, white peach, vanilla, melon, candy, apricot jam, cedar and pastry introduce the 2022 Condrieu Invitare. Viscously textured and offering excellent purity of fruit, the 2022 is neatly balanced by moderate levels of soft acidity. Offering a little more ripeness and expression than the 2021, this complex 2022 Condrieu should drink well over the next three years. - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Media

94 Points! A well-rounded. textural and succulent white with notes of fresh lemons, blanched almonds, sage and some stones. It’s medium-bodied with a mineral drive. Succulent green apple character, with a positive bitterness throughout. It’s precise, lively and textured with a salivating, floral finish. Drink or hold. - jamessuckling.com

93 Points! Prominent quince, white peach, vanilla, melon, candy, apricot jam, cedar and pastry introduce the 2022 Condrieu Invitare. Viscously textured and offering excellent purity of fruit, the 2022 is neatly balanced by moderate levels of soft acidity. Offering a little more ripeness and expression than the 2021, this complex 2022 Condrieu should drink well over the next three years. - Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Media

Sourced from 45+ year-old vines in Paton, Lys de Volan, la Bonnette, Rochecourbe, Les Rivoires, Merlant

95 Points! Slightly deeper hued (barely) than the classic Condrieu, the 2023 Condrieu Vieilles Vignes is another tour de force from this producer. Stone fruits, toasted nuts, orange liqueur, and crushed stone all give this a slightly more mineral-laced, masculine style. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's concentrated, has a pure, layered mouthfeel, a terrific sense of freshness, and outstanding length, with a touch of salinity on the finish. It's geared for the dinner table and should drink nicely through 2033. Both of these latest Condrieu from Tardieu-Laurent are brilliant wines. - Jeb Dunnuck

From the lieu-dits Paton, Lys de Volan, la Bonnette, Rochecourbe, Les Rivoires, Merlant

93 Points! Ripe tangerines, honeyed flowers, spice, and a kiss of minerality all define the 2022 Condrieu, an elegant, incredibly pure Condrieu delivering classic richness and depth while staying pure, focused, and elegant. - Jeb Dunnuck

92 Points! Effusive and stylish, with white peach, apricot and guava notes that are plump, plus a fresh thread of acidity. A drizzle of wildflower honey, honeysuckle and marmalade give a rich impression, but the fresh acidity keeps everything light and juicy. Drink now. - Wine Spectator

The Viognier for this cuvée is sourced from vineyards planted in granite-infused soil in the village of Chavanay. The grapes are fermented with their natural yeasts and done in stainless steel to protect the wine’s freshness. It then sees 6 months in a combination of steel and neutral oak barrels to round out. The result is usually pretty engaging, but in the lush, engaging 2023 vintage they absolutely nailed it again.  This is an incredible Condrieu taste-alike, a richer, more concentrated wine in 2023, loaded with honeysuckle and peach, pear, spice and faintly honeyed palate with mineral streaks on the finish.