André Perret is one of the leading producers of Northern Rhône whites. In particular, his Condrieus are among the very best of the appellation.

André Perret took control of the family domaine (half a hectare) in 1982. Like many small vignerons of the northern Rhône, the Perret family were small-scale farmers, growing fruit and keeping livestock as well as tending their small plot of vines. Soon after taking control, Perret purchased a number of plots of Condrieu, together with some in St Joseph, increasing the size of their holdings to over 8 hectares.

50 km south of Lyon, the Saint Joseph vineyard covers an area of 1000 hectares, along 60 km of the Rhône’s right bank. It includes 23 communes in Ardeche, 3 in the Loire. The soils of the region are characterized by metamorphic schist and gneissic granite. They are also shallow, light, permeable and warm — perfect for producing a high quality wine.

Terrace cultivation of these vines on steep hillsides involves some difficulties for wine-growers. Because of the narrowness of the terraces, the use of  machines is impossible — all work must be done manually, so the vines are cultivated entirely by hand.

This is a blend of roughly 50/50 Marsanne and Roussanne, aged one year in barrel, 20% new. Aromatics of peach, white flowers with poached pear. On the palate, apricot, nectarine, honey with some light citrus notes and stony minerality. Rich but elegant. I expect this will be on my short list of best white wines for the year. I was impressed by the ripeness of the fruit, but it showed some restraint and was also well balanced and delineated. 14% alcohol. Imported by Robert Chadderddon Selections. Strongly recommended.