Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur (2020) - Domaine Georges Vernay

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The name "Blonde du Seigneur" refers to the Côte Blonde sector, known for its granite soils and its elegant wines

Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur (2020) - Domaine Georges Vernay

Type: Red Wine

Area: France, Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

Appellation: Côte-Rôtie AOC

Grape variety: Syrah, Viognier

Vintage: 2020

Winery: Domaine Georges Vernay

Alcohol: 14

This wine is in the top 15 out of 421 tasted.

The appellation: Côte-Rôtie AOC

The Côte-Rôtie AOC is one of the most prestigious and captivating appellations in the northern Rhône Valley in France. Known for its elegant, powerful red wines made mainly from the Syrah grape variety, sometimes enriched with a small percentage of Viognier, Côte-Rôtie embodies the perfect harmony between power, refinement and longevity.

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What to eat with Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur

Who makes it: Domaine Georges Vernay

Founded in the 1950s, Domaine Georges Vernay is regarded as the estate that saved Viognier from extinction and that today brings out its most authentic expression. Based in Condrieu, in the heart of the northern Rhône Valley, it is run by Christine Vernay, who has carried on the family philosophy with a rigorous, terroir-respecting approach. Domaine Georges Vernay makes wines of character, with natural fermentations, balanced ageing and a constant search for purity of expression.

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The vine behind Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur

Syrah

Syrah is one of the most iconic and widely admired black grape varieties in the world, known for intense, structured reds with plenty of character. Native to the Rhône Valley in France, Syrah has spread to vineyards everywhere thanks to its remarkable versatility and its ability to adapt to different terroirs. Wines made from Syrah stand out for their fruity, spicy aromas and their great longevity.

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Viognier

Viognier is a white grape variety of French origin, celebrated for intensely aromatic, complex wines with plenty of character. Wines made from Viognier stand out for their rich floral and ripe-fruit perfumes, together with a soft, velvety structure. The variety is prized for its ability to produce whites of real body and finesse, equally suited to drinking young or to longer ageing.

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Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur: the terroir

Côte-Rôtie

Côte-Rôtie is one of the most prestigious and oldest appellations in the northern Rhône Valley in France, famous for elegant, powerful reds made mainly from Syrah, often with a small share of Viognier. That combination gives Côte-Rôtie wines a perfect balance of power and finesse, making them unique and recognisable the world over.

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Climate: Continental

Altitude: Low to mid altitude (200–500 m above sea level)

Soil: Rocky / granite

Geographical setting: River

Profile of Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur

Primary aromas: Ripe black fruit such as blackberry and plum

Secondary aromas: Notes of black olive, black pepper and smoky nuances

Tertiary aromas: Floral hints of violet brought by the Viognier

Tasting notes: On the palate it's elegant and refined, with well-integrated tannic structure and a long aromatic finish

Sulphites	yes
Body	Full-bodied with velvety tannins
Acidity	Medium, balanced
Tannin	Soft and silky
Sweetness	Dry
Finish	Long
Colour	Deep dark red
Clarity	Clear
Body	Full

Winemaking methods used for Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur

2–3 week maceration with gentle pump-overs and punch-downs

A 2–3 week maceration with gentle pump-overs and punch-downs is a traditional technique that yields wines of great elegance, balance and structure. It is used above all for reds where colour, aroma and tannin need to be extracted in a controlled way, while keeping the wine's freshness and finesse.The aim is harmonious wines, in which power and structure are balanced by finesse and aromatic complexity.

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Spontaneous fermentation

Spontaneous fermentation is one of the most fascinating and natural techniques in winemaking, relying solely on the indigenous yeasts present on the grape skins and in the cellar environment. Widely valued in the world of natural and biodynamic wine, it brings out biodiversity and terroir, giving the wine a unique and authentic character.

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Ageing methods used for Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur

In barrique (7–18 months)

Ageing in barrique for 7 to 18 months is one of the most common stages for medium- and full-bodied wines, where the wood has time to interact with the wine in depth without dominating it. This length gives balanced wines, with greater aromatic complexity, polished tannins and a more refined evolutionary profile, keeping varietal and tertiary notes in balance.

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