Condrieu Invitare 2023 6x75cl

Invitare' with its notes of white peaches, candied fruit and nice taut acidity, shows us the authentic character of the Condrieu appellation.

Vineyards

The soils are composed of schist and altered granites which come through in the wine as aromatic power and great complexity. This type of soil also gives the wine freshness and minerality. The slopes of this appellation are as steep as those of the Côte-Rôtie appellation, meaning hand-harvesting is required. The south and southeast-facing parcels are mainly located in the communes of Condrieu, Chavannay and Limony.

Vintage

The 2023 vintage in the Northern Rhône Valley was marked by a combination of challenges and resilience. The season began with a water deficit and mild temperatures but saw a turning point in May, with soils coming to life after rainfall and rapid vine growth. Despite mildew outbreaks, heatwaves, and sporadic hailstorms causing damage in some areas, the region's vineyards adapted well, with green harvesting and pest control efforts helping mitigate the effects. The late summer heatwave in August accelerated the harvest, leading to early picking to preserve freshness and balance, while late-ripening reds benefited from cool nights, achieving excellent ripeness and freshness. Overall, the vintage showed promising potential, particularly in Ampuis and the granite terroirs of Les Bessards.

Winemaking

After pressing, the must is cold-settled for 48 hours. Alcoholic fermentation occurs at temperatures between 16 and 18°C with a part in oak casks. Short ageing on the lees of around 8 months to preserve freshness and the varietal character of the grape. Ageing is carried out in wood to give the wine complexity and magnitude. 15% of the wine is aged in new barrels to preserve the freshness and minerality of the fruit. The remaining 85% are aged in demi-muids previously used for one to two vintages, which gives the wine consistency, power and aromatic complexity.

Enjoy with:

Soft goat's cheese. Goes perfectly with oriental and Asian food, but is very pleasant on its own too!