Origin: The hillside of "Vernon" is one of the most famous places-dits of Condrieu. A single parcel in Condrieu commune, planted in the huge, south-facing amphitheatre of the Coteau de Vernon.
"Vernon" replaces the cuvée "Vertige" which was produced exclusively with the wines of single-plot selections.
Soil: biotite-rich granite.
Grape Variety: viognier.
Cultivation: high-density planting (8,000-10,000 vines per hectare). No insecticides or pesticides, few treatments (depending on weather), small amount of organic-only fertiliser, with respect of soil and vine balance. Vigour and yield control, leaf-thinning and green harvesting to promote grape maturation.
Vinification: the grapes are picked at perfect ripeness and sorted by hand. Only the best press juices are kept. Alcoholic and malolactic fermented in barriques with native yeasts.
Maturing: 18 months in barriques, on the lees, no racking, regular stirring.
Style: a complex, refined wine with a nose of dried fruits, apricots, hints of honey and candied orange peel, and notes of toasted almonds thanks to delicate oaky inflection. On the palate: balanced and fleshy, with attractive powerful length and a subtle, thirst-quenching bitterness on the finish.
Ageing: made for laying down; can be drunk young but preferably aged up to 10 years or more.
Pairing : a whole foie gras, cold or pan-fried (e.g. millefeuille of spice bread with foie gras and apple)