CHATEAU GRILLET 2005 CHATEAU GRILLET
Château Grillet is the only appellation in France provided by a single one winery. With 3,5ha/8.6acres, Château Grillet is also one the smallest! Château Grillet is much like Condrieu, a full-body aromatic white wine made with Viognier. Because of the compact terroir, the wine is often outstanding, simply one of the best in France. Château Grillet is supposed to be an unique wine: both dry and sweet at the same time! However the price prevents wine lovers from tasting the experience.

CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE BLANC 2007 "ROUSANNE-VV" BEAUCASTEL
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, between Orange and Avignon. The Chateau de Beaucastel white "Vieilles Vignes" (old vines) is 3 hectares / 7 acres in size. In this case the old vines are at least 75 years old. Roussanne 100% Hand-picked and collected in baskets, grapes sorted, pneumatic pressing and clarification of the must. Fermentation takes place 50% in barrels and 50% in stainless steel vats. Following malo-lactic fermentation, maturation for eight months, with 50% in oak barrels and 50% in vats, prior to bottling. Tasting notes Colour: pale yellow. Nose: acacia flowers, honey. Palate: very rich, honeyed. A wine of exceptional complexity and balance, it should approach its peak in five to six years.

CONDRIEU 2001 AY-RT CUILLERON
The finest rendition of Viognier comes from the small Rhone Valley appellation of Condrieu, where the best wines from steep, granite-rich slopes show an exotic perfume of peach, apricot, pear, spring flowers, and honeysuckle; a rich but normally dry middle palate; and an overall sense of delicacy.

CONDRIEU 2006 "CHAILLETS" CUILLERON
WINE SPECTATOR 94 POINTS
Beautiful floral, anise and chamomile flower notes unfurl in front of a rich yet racy palate of quince and persimmon flavors. The long finish drips with fruit and minerality. A beauty. Drink now through 2010. 1,330 cases made.

Yves Cuilleron 2004 Condrieu les Ayguets Vendange Tardive
An extraordinary wine with complex aromas of dried apricots, honey and barley sugar. Very concentrated and voluptuous, displays an astounding viscosity which fills the mouth and adds a sensuous texture to the dried tropical fruit flavours. Seriously lengthy with an impressively hefty finish. Big, bold wine vinified from grapes found in pure granite soil; very long elevage to accentuate its concentration; lots of lees contact with malolactic done in barrel; extremely limited availability.

CONDRIEU 06 "AYGUETS" YVES CUILLERON (500 ML)
Yellow-gold. Stony, leesy pear and white peach aromas are precise and fresh, and complicated by oak spices and minerals. Shows broad pit fruits and smoked meat on the palate, picking up a seductive truffle note on the finish. Has the concentration of a liqueur, but also possesses excellent balance and admirable freshness.

DOMAINE DE FENOUILLET 2007 BEAUMES DE VENISE TERRES BLANCHE

FRANCOIS VILLARD 2008 VIOGNIER

GUIGAL 2009 COTE DU RHONE BLANC
The wine offers an intriguing early snapshot of the marvelous 2009 vintage in the Rhône Valley and promises to deliver as much or more pleasure than the delicious 2007 version (which, btw, scored 90 points in Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate). The 2009 has not yet been reviewed, so get to it before the critics sell it out!
Composed of 55% Viognier, 20% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 10% Clairette, and 5% Bourboulenc, the wine is fermented entirely in stainless steel tanks. It has a lovely stone fruit freshness, texture, and floral notes, balanced by a cool minerality, medium body, and mouthwatering, lingering acidity.

HERMITAGE BLANC 2004 CHAVE
WINE ADVOCATE 95
"The 2004 Hermitage blanc, which hit 15% natural alcohol, is another superb effort, continuing a succession of totally profound white Hermitages from 2003, 2004, and 2005. As many readers know, this small family producer has been making wine in Hermitage since 1481! The 2004 (about 1000 cases) reveals a light gold color, terrific finesse and elegance in spite of its enormous power, unctuosity, and richness. Of course, it is not as honeyed as the otherworldly 2003 (which hit 16% natural alcohol) but it is an amazingly full-bodied, powerful wine with pervasive honeysuckle, peach liqueur, and nectarine notes intermixed with licorice, quince, and acacia flowers. This is gorgeous wine which should evolve for 20-25 years."
WINE SPECTATOR 97
Very rich, but cuts like a knife, with dried apricot, marzipan and wet stone notes leading the way for richer flavors of candle wax, heather, honey and white peach on the back end. The long, extremely taut finish seems almost tannic; this is built for a long life. Try now, or forget it in the cellar. Best after 2017. 1,500 cases made. –JM

LE DEVOY MARTINE 2009 LIRAC BLANC
Notes of fresh pear and wild flower. Fresh round and creamy palate. The balance between minerality, acidity, alcohol and fruit is extremely percise that make for this fine and elegant Rhone blend. Perfect for fish, seafood, sushi, goat cheese, and poultry.

MUSCAT BEAUMES DE VENISE 2004 DOMAINE DURBAN

MUSCAT BEAUMES DE VENISE 2007 DOMAINE DURBAN
The Muscat expresses itself with finesse. Delicate flavours tingle the tongue with notes of pear and apricot. Traditional. In stainless steel tank at 15°C, bringing a volume of 7 to 10% neutral alcohol, to limit fermentation to a density of approximately 1050 so that at least 110 grams of sugar remain per litre.