2022 Clos de la Bonnette "Légende Bonnetta" Condrieu

Professional Reviews

Staff Reviews

KM

Keith Mabry

Keith Mabry

K&L Buyer

One of the stars of our direct import portfolio continues to be Clos de la Bonnette. This humble property has been one of my favorite places to visit whenever I am in the region. The terroir is incredible and the surrounding vineyards, the forests and the canyon are firmly entrenched in my memory. It is my happy place. I could sit at the top of their hill all day and just watch the leaves rustle, listen to the birds and insects calling out and smell the flowers interplanted amongst the vineyard rows. Sadly, I never get more than a couple of hours here each time I visit. The 2022 is another terrific rendition of Condrieu. It has lovely notes of pear, jasmine, sweet spices and freshly wet rocks. A little bit of oak aging adds texture but integrates beautifully into the wine. Yet another wine from this producer that transports me back to their little winery.

Notes

Condrieu is a particularly small region in the Northern Rhone that solely produces Viognier--but not just any Viognier. Simply put, these are the best in the world, and Condrieu is the benchmark by which all other Viognier is measured. Domaine Clos de la Bonnette was purchased in 1992 by wife and husband team, Isabelle Guiller and Henri Montabonnet. Henri and Isabelle restored this dormant property, restacking the walls by hand and replanting the vineyards. With no close neighbors, a natural barrier exists which allows them to more easily produce organically, a process by which they have farmed since they began replanting. The quality of the fruit is so high that Marcel Guigal wanted to purchase their grapes and put them under contract. Thankfully, they politely declined. The "Legende" is 100% Viognier made from the oldest vines on the estate and farmed on the granitic slopes that makes Condrieu so special. Aged for a short time in barrel which add to the potpourri of aromatics that will engage and delight you.