Domaine Stéphane Ogier : Les Vieilles Vignes de Jacques Vernay 2020

Characteristics and tasting advice for Les Vieilles Vignes de Jacques Vernay 2020 from Domaine Stéphane Ogier

Tasting

Color

The color shows a pale yellow hue with subtle green highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals a complex aromatic bouquet, expressing notes of stone fruit—especially peach and apricot—alongside citrus nuances reminiscent of lemon and yuzu. Floral aromas of jasmine, lily and violet complete this aromatic spectrum, while a crushed-stone minerality brings structure and precision to the whole.

Palate

On the palate, this wine displays a creamy, silky texture that generously envelops the mouth. The balance between the Viognier’s natural richness and a precise acidity lends the whole a remarkable freshness. Spicy flavors, notably white pepper and ginger, unfold as the tasting progresses. The finish stands out for its exceptional length and lingering aromatics.

Food and wine pairings

This Condrieu is an ideal match for Breton lobster with roasted apricots, scallops, Dublin Bay prawns, or fine fish prepared with delicate buttery sauces. It also pairs beautifully with refined poultry dishes and plant-based preparations highlighting white vegetables and subtle herbs.

Serving and cellaring

Les Vieilles Vignes de Jacques Vernay 2020 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve through around 2030. Some sources suggest a cellaring potential extending to around 2035 under optimal storage conditions.

An exceptional Condrieu from old vines in the Rhône Valley

The estate

For 6 generations, the Ogier family has been among the Rhône Valley’s essential producers of great wines. After studying viticulture and oenology and gaining extensive experience both in Burgundy and abroad, Stéphane Ogier joined the family estate in 1997 alongside his father, Michel Ogier. Produced in limited quantities and showcasing the purest expression of their native terroir through single-parcel vinifications, the wines of Domaine Stéphane Ogier are renowned for their finesse and elegance.

The vineyard

This cuvée comes from an outstanding 0.3-hectare parcel located at the lieu-dit La Combe, within the Le Biez sector, in the commune of Saint-Pierre-de-Boeuf in the Condrieu appellation. The Viognier vines, planted in 1948 or 1949, were around seventy years old at the time of the 2020 vintage. They thrive on granite soils at an altitude of about 310 meters, benefiting from a due-south exposure. The steep slope of around ten percent requires entirely manual work. With a planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare, these old vines produce concentrated, aromatic grapes. The estate practices sustainable viticulture incorporating organic principles, notably using horses for certain soil-work tasks.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in the Rhône Valley was marked by cool conditions that made it possible to produce white wines of remarkable mineral precision and great freshness, in contrast to warmer vintages. Harvesting took place on September 22, a deliberately late date chosen to optimize phenolic ripeness and aromatic intensity while preserving sufficient acidity.

Vinification and aging

After hand-harvesting and a rigorous selection in the vineyard followed by sorting on the sorting table, the grapes for Les Vieilles Vignes de Jacques Vernay 2020 were pressed as whole clusters using the direct-press method. Fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts in large wooden vessels—foudres and 350-liter barrels—thereby minimizing the influence of new oak. The wine was then aged on fine lees for nine to ten months in these same vessels, developing complexity and texture.

Grape variety

100% Viognier