2007 Chateau Grillet Vin Blanc

"One of France’s few single-estate appellations, the legendary Château Grillet was purchased by Pinault’s Artemis Group in 2011. Alessandro Nori is in charge of day-to-day operations at this microstate, where the entire property is only 3.8 hectares. Just under three hectares are planted, in 85 separate little terraces overlooking the Rhône. The Viognier in this little amphitheater is all picked by hand (indeed, all of the vineyard work here has to be done by hand) and then chilled prior to crushing. The juice is settled for 24 to 48 hours and then is allowed to warm and begins fermentation in tank. Fermentation is finished in barrel, where the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and ages for approximately 12 months. One new 300-liter barrel is added to the cellars each year, while the rest of the wine ages in second through fourth use wood."  Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate