2001 Condrieu

Stephane Montez calls 2001 his finest vintage yet forx000D white wines, "an accurate expression of terroir and cepage." Following a hot summer, cool nights inx000D September allowed for clean grapes with good retention of acidity. He left the wines longer on their bourbes tox000D get a more glyceral character. Montezx000D harvested his red grapes before and after the rain, but noted that one couldx000D wait for more ripeness if the skins were still in good condition. My tasting included wines bottled under bothx000D the Vignobles du Monteillet (which Montez vinifies from vines belonging to thex000D family domain) and Domaine du Monteillet labels. (Weygandt-Metzler Importing, Unionville, PA) Also recommended: 2001 Condrieu Les Grandes Chaillees (Vignobles du Monteillet).