Côtes-du-Rhône Viognier, Domaine Les Grands Bois 2020

The Rhone's glorious viognier grape makes a wonderful alternative to sauvignon blanc or chardonnay. Difficult to grow, it nearly disappeared in the 60's and 70's, but is now extremely fashionable, with Condrieu its most famous name. Domaine des Grands Bois is a family grower with parcels of land in 7 communes owned from 1920. Robert Parker described this as the best value viognier he has ever tasted.

How does the wine taste?
Golden yellow in colour. An intense floral nose with hints of pear, peach and apricot. Fresh, with lots of fruit but also a crisp minerality and a long full finish.

What do the critics say (previous vintages)?
"May be the finest value in Viognier that I have ever tasted"
Robert Parker

"The Domaine Les Grands Bois 'Le Viognier' is from an estate that FVDs Esme Johnstone found quite by chance while in a café in Cairanne. So smitten was he by what he was drinking that le patron took him to the family-owned winery on the outskirts of the village and Esme spent a merry few hours tasting the range before flashing his chequebook and buying pretty much everything on offer. And who wouldn't be seduced by this gorgeously heady, peachy, apricotty and yet refreshing white? I love it and you will too."
Jonathan Ray, The Spectator Magazine