Jean-Michel Gérin : Les Eguets 2019

Characteristics and tasting advice for Les Eguets 2019 by Jean-Michel Gérin

Tasting

Color

The color shows a straw-yellow hue with golden highlights.

Nose

Intensely expressive, the nose reveals exotic fruit aromas with pronounced notes of passion fruit, white peach and apricot. Floral touches of white flowers and rose accompany nuances of yellow apple and lychee, completed by subtle hints of cedar.

Palate

The attack is lively and fresh before developing a lovely roundness. The silky, generous texture is perfectly balanced by a bright acidity that gives structure to the whole. Yellow and exotic fruit aromas dominate the palate, accompanied by smoky notes. The long, persistent finish stands out for a slight, elegant bitterness that underscores the minerality of the granite terroir.

Food and wine pairings

This Condrieu is an ideal match for seafood and shellfish such as plancha-grilled shrimp, scallops or citrus-marinated langoustines. It also pairs beautifully with white meats such as chicken in a light sauce or a poultry curry with gentle spices. Goat cheeses, a risotto with green asparagus or wild mushrooms also make excellent pairings. This wine can also be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif.

Serving and cellaring

Condrieu Les Eguets 2019 is best enjoyed between 10 and 13°C. This wine can be enjoyed now and until around 2028, with a peak period between 2021 and 2026.

An expressive, mineral Condrieu from the Rhône Valley

The estate

Founded in 1983 by Jean-Michel Gérin in Ampuis, the Domaine Jean-Michel Gérin now spans around seventeen hectares in the Northern Rhône Valley. A pioneer in the revival of the Côte-Rôtie appellation, Jean-Michel Gérin built his reputation on a rigorous parcel-by-parcel approach and a deep respect for terroir. Today, his sons Michaël and Alexis carry on the sixth generation of the Gérin winegrowing family, maintaining the excellence established by their father. The estate, certified organic since the 2023 vintage after a conversion that began in 2020, produces wines from the Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Saint-Joseph appellations.

The vineyard

Condrieu Les Eguets comes from a 0.5-hectare parcel planted in 2010 on the namesake lieu-dit located in the village of Chavanay. The vines grow on decomposed granite soils typical of the Condrieu appellation, offering excellent drainage and distinctive minerality. Planting density reaches 10,000 vines per hectare, encouraging a natural concentration of aromas. The harvest is carried out exclusively by hand, allowing for a rigorous selection of grapes at optimal ripeness.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage benefited from favorable weather conditions in the Northern Rhône Valley, combining Mediterranean and continental influences. Hot summers and mild winters allowed Viognier to ripen optimally, resulting in grapes of great aromatic quality and lovely freshness.

Winemaking and aging

After a manual harvest, the grapes for Condrieu Les Eguets 2019 are pressed without initial settling in order to preserve freshness and primary aromatic expression. Vinification is carried out with minimal intervention to respect the fruit. Aging takes place for twelve months in 500-liter demi-muids, split between 20% new oak and 80% barrels that have already held one to three wines, allowing moderate micro-oxygenation while preserving the aromatic purity of Viognier.

Grape variety

100% Viognier