Description
Jean-François Jacouton Granit Viognier 2020 is from the Collines Rhodaniennes appellation in the Rhône Valley. Condrieu is considered by many to be the best wine produced from the Viognier grape but Condrieu can be very expensive. To find a wine like Condrieu with a lower price tag, I looked no further than Domaine Jean-François Jacouton whose Condrieu I also stock. Known as an Artisan du Terroir”, Jean-François took over his grandfather’s 6 hectares of vineyards, concentrating, for his white wines, on freshness and minerality from the granitic soils with which Viognier in particular has an affinity.
I know that some people turn their noses up at Viognier and I think I know why… In hotter climate areas Viognier can be a bit OTT with rich exotic fruit flavours and an oily texture. However, pick the right Viognier from a cooler climate area such as the Rhone’s hilly sub-region, Collines Rhodaniennes, and the wine’s flavours, whilst complex and more delicate, as they are in Jean-François Jacouton Granit Viognier 2020 lean towards subtle stone fruits like apricots and peaches with lime and there are hints of blossom and spice. The texture is silky. The complexity and texture are partly due to the brief time that the wine spends on its lees, the complex flavours and aromas in perfect harmony. The wine has a dry, crisp, fresh finish leaving you wanting more!