2010 French Wine between $50 and $75

The 2010 Condrieu is even more perfumed and intense, boasting stunning minerality in addition to copious notes of honeysuckle, lychee nut and mango. Drink this luscious, medium to full-bodied white over the next 3-5 years. One of the truly profound wines of the appellation is Guigal's Condrieu La Doriane, which comes from estate vineyards located in some of Condrieu's finest terroirs, such as Cote Chatillon, Volnats, Colombier and the Coteaux du Chery. Aged in 100% new oak (although it never shows) and put through malolactic fermentation, these are great Condrieus that age well (I mistakenly pulled a 2001 Condrieu La Doriane out of my cellar thinking it was the 2009, and I was shocked to discover how fresh and lively it was at age ten.). Nevertheless, I still have a strong predilection for drinking them in their exuberant youth, during their first 3-4 years of life.

Tasting note: There is enough reduction present to all but completely mask what appears to be earthy yellow fruit underneath the funk. There is good intensity to the powerful large-scaled flavors that possess a distinct malic acid tang on the energetic finish. This seems to have the richness and mid-palate concentration to eventually stand up to the firm acid spine but for the moment, the acidity has the upper hand.

The 2010 Volnay Clos de la Barre is a huge, implosive wine loaded with fruit. This explosive Volnay bursts onto the palate with black cherries, tar, licorice, smoke and incense. The aromas and flavors take on a decidedly exotic quality as the wine sits in the glass. This is another wine with a bright future. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028.