The Wine
The 2018 Viognier opens with aromas of peach, pear, exotic fruits, and fresh floral notes. The flavors are clean and crisp with soft acidity. The wine is very slightly sweet and pairs well with lightly oily seafood, spicy Asian cuisine, or goat cheese. It is also delicious enjoyed alone as an aperitif.
Vintage and Vineyards
For the first time in several years, the season’s temperatures were normal. A cool spring led to a moderately late bloom in mid-June. Then summer set in with the kind of hot, dry conditions Viognier needs for full flavor development.
Winemaking
The grapes were harvested at night or in the early morning to preserve fresh flavors. The wine was pressed without crushing or destemming. A third was then cool fermented in stainless steel at 54˚F–62˚F and two-thirds in neutral French oak.