Presentation
A renowned figure in the northern Rhône, Christophe Pichon has earned a reputation for his dedication to terroir and detail. On the steep slopes of appellations like Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie, and Saint-Joseph, he cultivates Syrah and Viognier with passion and precision. The estate follows sustainable viticultural practices and hand-harvests its grapes to maintain optimal quality. In the cellar, vinification is exacting, with barrel aging that enhances the natural complexity of the wines. His Condrieu is rich and aromatic with a silky texture, while his reds combine power and finesse, revealing black fruit, violet, and spice. A reference in the Rhône Valley.
Location
Surface area: Approximately 0.30 hectares
Terroir
Soil: Granite-based terraces with south-facing slopes. Shallow soils averaging 50 to 75 cm in depth.
In the vineyard
Vines are trained on two stakes (“échalas”) for optimal aeration. Green harvesting may be performed at veraison if needed.
Harvest
Manual harvesting.
Winemaking
Pneumatic pressing. Fermentation in barrels without added yeast. Natural start of malolactic fermentation. Natural tartaric stabilization through cold.
Ageing
Aged for 12 months: 50% in new barrels and 50% in one-year-old barrels. Bottled at the end of August.
Varietal
Viognier : 100%
Specifications
Production volume : 4 500
Age of vines : 45 years old
Serving
Serving temperature: 13 to 15°C
Ageing potential
5 to 10 years
Tasting
The Caresse cuvée reveals a deep golden hue with luminous highlights. The nose is intense and refined, led by muscat-like, honeyed, and floral aromas—especially freesia and acacia—enhanced by a subtle touch of vanilla. On the palate, the wine is round and generous, with a welcome freshness that extends the aromatic profile into a long and harmonious finish. From a single south-facing plot on granite slopes, this Condrieu embodies the finesse and sensuality of Viognier at its finest.
Visual appearance
Deep golden robe with bright reflections.
At nose
Muscat-like notes, honey, freesia, acacia, subtle vanilla.
On the palate
Generous and round, fresh finish, long and harmonious.
Food pairings
This elegant Condrieu white pairs beautifully with refined and aromatic cuisine. It enhances seared scallops, sole fillet with lemon butter, or poultry with morels. It also works wonderfully with vegetarian dishes such as mushroom risotto or leek tart. For a regional pairing, serve it with Rigotte de Condrieu, a local goat cheese whose creamy texture and gentle flavor echo the wine’s roundness.