Condrieu Chatillon Xavier Gerard

Xavier Gerard producers about 400 cases of this top-tier Condrieu from the slopes of the Cote Chatillon. 40 YO vines, and aged in mix of steel and large oak barrels. Very ageable. `has a firm, broad bouquet with lift and some spontaneity, herbal tea and cooked pear airs. The palate gives an oily textured level of content with tannin in the second half, is very much a structured wine, de la terre. It’s intense late on, dried fruits, and firm lip smack there. It engages fully along the palate, doesn’t look left or right, drives on, has a solid aftertaste. It’s very true to its place, is STGT wine. Decanting advised. From 2024, no problem waiting` **** John Livingstone-Learmonth