“All of Pierre’s wines are a testament to the know-how of Gaillard and there is not a single weakness in the bunch.”
~La Revue du Vins de France 2007
Someone wrote that Pierre’s wines win hearts in their youth, but lack for nothing in terms of future potential. His winemaking approach seems to be rooted in the traditional, but also modern. His wines are consistently excellent and some of the greatest quality/value plays in the entire Rhône. Gaillard earned his top tier ranking through his hard work, talent and dedication.
Pierre Gaillard got into the wine business at a very young age. His first vineyard was the Chardonnay vines he planted in his parents’ garden. Later he worked at Guigal and Vidal Fleury. He was a force at Guigal in the 1980s, helping to create La Turque which became a benchmark vineyard in Cote Rotie. Today, Gaillard is considered by many to be one of the most capable craftsmen in the Northern Rhône and is also considered a master of Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne.
This is Gaillard’s Viognier from the Northern Rhône — and it shows why he is considered a master of the varietal. Deep golden straw in color. Not extremely aromatic, but with some peach and honey. On the palate, peach, apricot and honeysuckle with softer notes of lemon zest, quince and smoke. Great flinty minerality and acidity with a long, pure finish. Extremely rich, viscous, concentrated and lush, yet elegant and structured (oak is present).
This is one of the 2 best Viogniers I have had this year. The other is the McPrice Myers Viognier Larner Vineyard 2006. They are very different styles, the Gaillard has more weight and viscosity — and might be the more memorable. But the McPrice is also outstanding and perhaps a bit more versatile, not to mention more budget friendly. That being said, the Gaillard Condrieu performs with (and exceeds) many bottles of Condrieu that cost twice as much.
Recommended. One of my top 10 wines of the year.
Other wines from Pierre Gaillard:
Gaillard Côtes du Rhône Les Gendrines 2006
Pierre Gaillard Saint-Joseph Clos de Cuminaille 2005
Good post! I enjoy southern Rhones.
(And other Viogniers.)
Found the site through WLTV comments.
Best wishes,
T
http://TheProvince.com/liveat5
http://twitter.com/vanguy
[...] recommended Viogniers: Pierre Gaillard Condrieu 2006 Melville Estate Verna’s Viognier 2007 McPrice Myers Viognier Larner Vineyard [...]
[...] 17, 2009 by tom@personalwinebuyer.com I am a big fan of Perre Gaillard’s wine. His Condrieu 2006 was one of my favorite white wines from last year. In fact, I could put it on my list of top 5 [...]
[...] post: Pierre Gaillard Condrieu 2006 Pierre Gaillard Le Secret Ivre 2007 Pierre Gaillard Côtes du Rhône Les Gendrines [...]
[...] Production of the Pierre Gonon Blanc is about 900 cases. It is golden straw in color. Apple, apricot, lemon peel and cut hay on the nose. Stone fruits, pomelo grapefruit, almond and a touch of tangerine and fennel. Stoney minerality, creamy, rich and a bit fat — unctuous with beautiful glycerin-viscosity. Well-balanced with soft but lingering acidity and a prolonged finish. The richness and lowish acidity help make this age gracefully and have been put in the same class as the rich styled White Burgundies from the Côtes de Beaune. At $30 a bottle, this wine is not inexpensive especially given the current economic situation. But it is a lot wine for the money and a really lovely bottle of wine. The last white wine I enjoyed this much was the Pierre Gaillard Condrieu. [...]
[...] des Bressades Roussanne-Viognier 2007 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (and 2007) Pierre Gaillard Condrieu 2006 René Rostaing Puech Chaud Blanc Coteaux du Languedoc 2005 Cheverny Le Petit Chambord Domaine [...]