Château-Grillet 2020

Château-Grillet is one of the smallest appellations in France, a single terraced amphitheatre of granite above the Rhône given over entirely to Viognier.

The appellation covers only a few hectares at Vérin, in the northern Rhône, on steep terraces of decomposed granite facing south-east, and it has belonged to Artémis Domaines since 2011. This is a wine of place rather than of variety, and it bears little resemblance to the exuberant style Viognier takes in warmer sites. The grapes are chilled on arrival at the cellar, then whole-bunch pressed, and the juice settles for 24 to 48 hours before a wild fermentation that finishes in barrel, where malolactic conversion always runs to completion. The wine spends around twelve months in wood, sometimes longer, then a further six to eight months in stainless steel. Under the current regime only one new 300-litre barrel enters the cellar each year, giving roughly 20 per cent new wood; the balance is second- to fourth-use.

Tight and coiled in youth, it repays ten to fifteen years and rewards decanting when young. Serve at 10-12°C with roast poultry, scallops or mild spiced Asian dishes.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.