Vignoble Deleu Viognier Coquet, Vin de France, 2023

Usually fermented in barriques and aged in larger, 600-litre oak barrels. Despite its humble designation, and as the price might suggest, it is a seriously good Viognier and could serve as a stand-in for a good Condrieu. A medium-plus golden-yellow robe here. The nose delivers medium-plus intensity, textbook quality Viognier's rich and decadent aromatics of peach yogurt, poached pear, oil/cream, locum, jasmine and fruit tea. Dry, the palate shows a delicate medium-minus acidity, a medium-plus extract, a soft texture, a medium body and lovely presence and flavour-persistence of poached and dried pear, fruit tea, locum and pear blossom, and a medium finish. A lovely Viognier, even if at a price. 2025-2026–IR