Jeanne Elise is one of the two sweet Condrieu produced by Pierre Gaillard, the other being the botrytis influenced Fleurs d'Automne. In 2010 we preferred this enchanting example. It's a "dessert style" Condrieu (Viognier) made in the vin de paille manner (where the fruit is dried on straw or paille mats). Only perfect bunches of Condrieu grapes - from the granitic realm of Côte Bellay - are dried slowly until late December they are gently pressed. The resulting wine spends six months in oak barrels - with only 10% new. The finished wine carries its 200g/l of residual sugar with ease and its fresh, bright flavours vibrate on the palate like the hum of a tuning fork. This elixir's qualities have been described by Andrew Jefford as "...suggesting new, exotic horizons for this AOC as one of the great dessert wines of the world". Every great wine surely needs at least one vin de paille, late harvest Condrieu doesn't it? Well, here it is!