Domaine Georges Vernay - Cote Rotie 'Maison Rouge' Red 2019

Grape

100% Syrah

Tasting Notes

The 2019 Maison Rouge Côte-Rôtie (14% ABV) exhilarates freshness in an elegant, fruit-driven & pure way - a magnificent effort f Christine Vernay at Domaine Georges Vernay. Deep, semi-translucent garnet-violet in appearance. Eloquent, quite expressive nose singing w white pepper, violet, blackberries & cassis, graphite, a tad of iron. Palate is medium-bodied, sleek yet w superb fruit concentration, smoky/chalky, multi-layered, velvety w fairly racy acidic structure, closing on a distinct peppery & iron-marked note!

Expert Rating

Wine Enthusiast 92/100

More About The Winery

Perched on the steep granite terraces of Condrieu, Domaine Georges Vernay is the undisputed reference for Viognier and one of the greatest domaines in all of France. Founded in 1937 and now led by Christine Vernay, the estate has transformed from saving Viognier from extinction to producing some of the most sought-after white wines in the world.

The domaine’s three Condrieu cuvées — Les Terrasses de l’Empire, Les Chaillées de l’Enfer, and Côteau de Vernon — are benchmark expressions of Viognier: precise, complex, and age-worthy, far removed from the plump examples found elsewhere. Tiny yields, old vines, and minimal intervention define the style, producing wines of extraordinary finesse, depth, and minerality.

Beyond Condrieu, Domaine Vernay also crafts outstanding Côte-Rôtie reds — Blonde du Seigneur and Maison Rouge — regarded among the finest of the appellation. More accessible bottlings, such as the Viognier Le Pied de Samson and Syrah Georges Vernay, showcase the domaine’s craftsmanship at superb value.

Internationally acclaimed, Christine Vernay was named “Wine Person of the Year 2012” by Bettane & Desseauve, elevating the domaine to the prestigious 5-star rating alongside legends like DRC, Château Latour, and Château d’Yquem. Remarkably, Vernay remains one of the few family-owned domaines in this elite circle.