Domaine Georges Vernay - Côte-Rôtie Maison Rouge 2021
97/100
James Suckling
94/100
RVF
"A class all of its own!"
This Côte-Rôtie is immaculate, elegant, and almost untouched. So much purity and precision. The nose reveals notes of wild berries, wild herbs, dried meat, and warm spices. It is medium-bodied, with silky tannins and lively acidity. On the palate, there are lots of wild strawberries and violets. Made from 100% old vines planted before 1950, it delivers all its black cherry essence and fruit purity with a floral fragrance, bringing elegance and freshness. Mineral and well-conducted with a concentrated, long and lively finish." (James Suckling 2024)
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Eye
Black ruby purple dress
Nose
Subtly full-bodied, with lovely aromas of dark fruit, oriental spices, smoke, licorice, and cigar box.
Mouth
Structured, silky, and seductive, with assertive tannins, spicy and captivating: velvety smooth.
Serve
At 15-18°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink before
2041
Guard
20 years
Food and wine pairings
Pairs well with game, slow-cooked red meats, and a selection of cheeses (Brie, Camembert, Epoisse, Maroilles, Rigotte de Condrieu, etc.).
Bettane & Desseauve
5-star estate (Exceptional producers, representing the absolute pinnacle of quality in France and worldwide)
About the estate:
Emma Amsellem joined her mother Christine Vernay to promote the rugged slopes of Condrieu and Côte Rôtie, lands bathed in sunshine when frost does not interfere, as in 2021, a vintage that Emma is not likely to forget since she had just returned to the estate. Despite the unpredictable weather, it was a very successful year for whites, with well-defined saline expressions. A vintage that showcases all the splendor of the Vernon hillside.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2025 guide) 94/100
Rated estate (2024 guide) 3 stars (These represent the excellence of French vineyards. The best terroirs cultivated by the greatest winemakers. Tasting their wine is always a magical moment.)
About wine:
Made from old Syrah vines in the Maison Rouge vineyard, this wine displays tremendous intensity of flavor. The wood still masks its contours somewhat, but the fruit is vibrant and the finish is wonderfully juicy.
About the estate:
Christine Vernay, who brilliantly took over the reins of this iconic Condrieu estate in 1996, is gradually handing over the reins to her daughter, Emma Amsellem. While the estate is closely linked to the history of the Condrieu appellation, of which it remains the most brilliant representative, it also offers a remarkable selection of red wines, whose aging has been refined in recent years. Tasting a Condrieu cuvée aged for a good decade here allows you to understand the potential of this terroir, which is too often overshadowed by the varietal notes of Viognier. The energy and potential contained in the estate's wines serve as a benchmark.
James Suckling
Wine rated (2024 guide) 97/100
Rated estate (2023 guide) Recommended
About wine:
This Côte-Rôtie is immaculate, elegant, and almost untouched. So much purity and precision. The nose reveals notes of wild berries, wild herbs, dried meat, and warm spices. It is medium-bodied, with silky tannins and lively acidity. On the palate, there are lots of wild strawberries and violets. Made from 100% old vines planted before 1950, it delivers all its black cherry essence and fruit purity with a floral fragrance, bringing elegance and freshness. Mineral and well-conducted with a concentrated, long and lively finish. Enjoy now or keep.
Discover other wines from the estate