Viognier 2020

Viognier could perhaps be one of the greatest combinations of historical pedigree and contemporary misunderstanding that exist among French varieties. A finicky, low-yielding and difficult grape, it has found its greatest expression in the miniscule French region of Condrieu, where it is known for producing richly-colored wines of incredible depth, richness and minerality.
Viogner’s New World attempts have often been planted in sites that are too vigourous, producing oily, flabby wines without the aromatic complexity or minerality of the best French examples. In Washington, well-draining soils, dry climate and extremely cool nights produce wines that, at their best, rival the combination of textural richness and minerality found in high-quality Condrieu. We’re most fond of the high altitude examples that grow in the rocky soils of the Central Yakima Valley.
This Viognier has an amazing ability to express a delightful combination of intense floral, citrus and stonefruit characteristics, honeyed textural richness and racy minerality. We whole-cluster press ours and age it on gross lees for 6-8 months after fermentation, enriching the texture and expanding the mineral presence.

The 2020 Viognier is exceptionally delicate with a versatile combination of expressive fruit, perky minerality and lush texture.  The aromas are intense and complex: green tea, jasmine, green mango and fresh peach, honeycomb and green papaya. The palate is full and weighty, with lemon zest, and expressive salinity leading into a lengthy and mineral-driven finish.

COST: $23