Duet

RegionArdèche - Coteaux de l'Ardèche
VillageArdèche
AppellationIndication Géographique Protégée Ardèche
Grape varietyChardonnay & Viognier

The Vine

Average vine age 15 years
SoilClay and limestone.
Average yield45 hl/ha
HarvestHand picked and mechanical

Wine tips

Cellaring Potential2-3 years
Serving temperature 10-12°

Description

After having great success with our "Ardèche Chardonnay" and our "Grand Ardèche", Maison Louis Latour became interested in planting the Viognier grape variety on Ardèche soils and in the original blend that could be made with Chardonnay. Our "Duet" is unique because the two different grapes are harvested and fermented at the same time. The vines are quite far apart from one another and the last week of harvesting Chardonnay coincides with the first week of harvesting Viognier, therefore preserving the acidity of the Viognier. This results in a balanced wine, where neither variety overpowers the other. It is a fine, supple, and elegant wine.

Vinification & Ageing

Fermentation
Traditional in stainless steel vats, temperature controlled with complete malolactic fermentation
Ageing
8 to 10 months ageing in stainless steel vats

Wine tasting

Tasting Note
With a golden yellow-green colour and a fresh nose of citrus fruits, the Duet 2011 is silky smooth in the mouth. It is a bit nervous on the finish; a reflection of the 2011 vintage.
Food Pairing
Apéritif - charcuterie - fish.

Press review

Duet Chardonnay-Viognier 2009 - The Washington Post - January 2012 - "Delicious"Floral and delicate, this is one of several inexpensive wines I've recently found from southern France that blend viognier with other grapes. That might be something for Virginia winemakers to consider. It has medium body and delicate aromas of white flowers; delicious by itself, it should pair well with moderately spicy dishes or rich fish courses. By Dave Mc Intyre (USA).
2006 Duet Chardonnay / Viognier - South China Morning Post - October 9th 2008:This wine has the lovely fragrance of Viognier and the richness and marketability of Chardonnay. It tastes like chardonnay but, strangely, much more so, with a richness and flavor definition that carries the smokiness from the barbecued scallops. For another perfect match, separate the orange roe from the scallop and mix it into a cream sauce for fettucine.
Duet Chardonnay-Viognier - San Francisco Chronicle:Taste exquisitely French: dominated by mineral, but with a nice current of golden apple abd white pepper that increases on the medium-long finish. Maison Louis Latour, a major force in Burgundy, was the pioneer in fine wines from the warm Ardèche region on the right bank of the Rhône.
Duet 2005 - Baltimoresun - February 6th 2008 - "Bright apple notes"It had some sweetness, but did not go overboard with sugar. It featured a slight grapefruit aroma, bright apple notes in the body and a lingering touch of acidity.
2003 Duet - Wine Anorak - May/June 2004 - 88+ points :Reasonable deep yellow colour. Fat, peachy nose leads to a rich, rounded palate with very forward, softly textured tropical fruit character. This is striking, full flavoured white with a nutty edge to the very smoothly textured fruit. Interesting and quile sophisticated. Very good +88/100