Archive: USA: California: Viognier
Beaulieu Vineyards 1997 Viognier Napa Valley Signet Collection ($16). This 86% Viognier, 14% Chardonnay wine has great body and balance. Equal layers of peach and orange are interwoven with spice, a touch of oak, and a very nice mineral through line. A solid, creamy finish completes the picture beautifully. This is a classy wine. (02/00)
Beringer 2000 Viognier Napa Valley Appellation Collection ($16). Full-bodied and fragrant, with ripe peach and citrus fruit accented with light spice, honeysuckle, vanilla and toasty oak. Lovely finish. Ready to drink now. (Wine Tasting, 06/03)
Bonterra
2006 Viognier Mendocino-Lake Counties ($18). Crisp and bright, with tropical melon flavors laced with mineral and floral notes that linger nicely on the mouthwatering finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/08)
1998 Viognier North Coast ($19). Popular with the Viognier lovers in the group, this wine is a nice straightforward expression of gentle peach and apple fruit. Made a nice aperitif to kick off the evening! Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 06/01)
Bridlewood
2006 Viognier Central Coast Reserve ($24) was a lovely break from the bold reds that are the norm this time of year. With aromatic, fleshy apricot laced with floral, mineral, fig and bright mango notes and a full, lush finish. Ready to drink now. Wonderful with a smoked salmon and herbed cream cheese canape. (P&N 12/07)
2005 Viognier Central Coast Reserve ($24). Very nice, with heady tropical fruit and aromatic, ripe peaches. Stays focused and pretty through the creamy finish. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks 10/06)
Calera
2007 Viognier Mt. Harlan ($28). Honeysuckle and apricot aromas introduce smooth peach and apricot flavors, with light mineral and spice notes that linger on the long, generous, evolving finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-04-24)
2006 Viognier Mt. Harlan ($28). Ripe and lovely, with smooth peach and honeysuckle aromas and flavors, rounded out with pretty pear and mineral notes that linger on the full finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/08)
2003 Viognier Mount Harlan ($36). Intoxicating floral and ripe apricot aromas introduce focused apricot and nectarine flavors layered with almond, exotic spices and toasted vanilla notes. Finishes long and complex, but retains a fresh quality throughout. Very good. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/05)
2002 Viognier Mt. Harlan ($36). The latest example of a high-end wine going screw-cap (half the bottles from this vintage are with the traditional cork, the other half with a screw-cap), this wine offers a lovely mélange of peach, melon, fig and cream, with spice and citrus accents. Long, full finish. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Wine Tasting, 06/03)
2001 Viognier Mt. Harlan ($36). Heady peach and floral aromas introduce intense flavors of ripe peach, dried apricot and spicy pear. Generous finish. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. We paired it with spicy Thai noodles in a coconut and red curry sauce with terrific results! (Weekend Wine, 10/02)
Chumeia Vineyards 2006 Viognier California ($14). Juicy, fresh peach and tangerine aromas and flavors linger through the finish, picking up some citrus zest along the way. Ready to drink now. Nice with a garlicky chicken curry. (Weekend Wine 05/08)
Clay Station 2002 Viognier Lodi ($16). Delicate style, with sweet peach fruit laced with floral and citrus notes. Gains intensity on the lingering finish. Easy to pair with food and a good value. Ready to drink now. (Wine Tasting, 06/03)
Eberle
2004 Viognier Paso Robles Mill Road Vineyard ($18). Honeysuckle scented, with nice richness on the creamy, tropical fruit flavors and lush apricot, finishing with lingering toasted nut accents.Very good. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/05)
2002 Viognier Paso Robles Mill Road Vineyard ($18). Concentrated peach and apricot fruit, round and rich on the palate, finishing with a touch of oak aging and vanilla. Medium bodied and nicely balanced. Ready to drink now. (Wine Tasting, 06/03)
Fess Parker 2001 Viognier Santa Barbara County ($20). Juicy nectarine and spice bouquet leads to a medium-bodied wine that features sweet apricot, rose petal, orange zest and lime flavors. Delicious with a Thai-inspired crab salad with hot peppers. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine, 06/03)
Freemark Abbey 2001 Viognier Napa Valley Carpy Ranch ($23). Smooth nectarine fruit aromas and flavors, with an appealing chalky note. Lush, lingering, delicious finish. Ready to drink now. (Wine Tasting, 06/03)
Geyser Peak
2002 Viognier Block Collection Preston Vineyard ($20). Fresh sliced peach and honeysuckle aromas introduce loads of juicy peach and apricot flavors, with orange and lime zest citrus accents. Ready to drink now. (Wine Tasting, 06/03)
1999 Viognier Alexander Valley Block Collection Sonoma Moment Vineyard ($19). Exotic and floral, redolent with apricot, peach and honeysuckle, this wine is pure pleasure. Clean and balanced, with a delightful finish. Ready to drink now. (Winery Spotlight, 04/01)
Iron Horse Vineyards 1997 Viognier Alexander Valley T-T Vineyards ($15). This Sonoma Viognier falls more on the apricot side of the Viognier “is it peach or is it apricot?” spectrum. Nice tangerine flavors round out the fruity body, and a spice and mineral core makes it versatile. Very good! (02/00)
Joseph Phelps 1999 Viognier Napa Valley ($N/A) — This is a limited distribution wine, so if you are lucky enough to see any — do not hesitate to buy some. Intensely aromatic, displaying classic peach and apricot on both the bouquet and palate, with a generous finish. Very nice. (Weekend Wine, 11/00)
Kunde 2007 Viognier Sonoma Valley ($24). Floral aromas accent full-bodied apricot and peach flavors that are ripe and fleshy, with an appealing spicy character that weaves through the lingering finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-11-27)
Rabbit Ridge 2003 Viognier Paso Robles Westside ($16). Floral aromas and flavors accent white peach, with mineral and cream notes on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/05) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Renwood
2001 Viognier Select Series ($12). Delicate, with soft peach and pear fruit aromas and flavors. Picks up citrus, apricot and vanilla on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Wine Tasting, 06/03) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2000 Viognier Sierra Series ($12). A nice wine, showing classic ripe peach and apricot fruit mixed with spice and a touch of citrus. Ready to drink now. (Winery Spotlight 08/02) Locate this wine online or in your area.
RH Phillips
2002 Viognier Dunnigan Hills EXP ($14). Citrusy bouquet is laced with tropical fruit aromas. Juicy apricot and peach flavors are nicely balanced on this medium-bodied wine, picking up spice and honey notes on the appealing finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 06/04) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2001 Viognier Dunnigan Hills EXP ($14). Seems like I go straight to this wine every vintage, but this 2001 is exceptionally good (not to mention one of the Best of Show winners in New Orleans!). Peach and mango fruit are shiny and happy, with enough concentrated apricot to give some oomph. Subtle toasty oak and vanilla notes emerge midpalate and lend a creamy mouthfeel and finish. Delicious! Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 06/02) Locate this wine online or in your area.
1999 Viognier EXP ($14). This is a light, crisp wine, subtly layered with peach, apricot, mango, and vanilla. If you want to break out of your Chardonnay rut or you want to mark the end to a Sauvignon Blanc summer, try a Viognier. It pairs particularly well with spicy Asian food. We enjoyed this wine with cashews and smoked oysters. (Weekend Wine, 09/00) Locate this wine online or in your area.
Robert Hall 2007 Viognier Paso Robles ($21). Full bodied and aromatic, with ripe apricot, peach, orange blossom and touches of spice, citrus and cream. Appealing balance of lush and bright notes. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/08)
Rosenblum 2005 Viognier California Kathy’s Cuvee ($16). Okay, it’s one dollar over the Budget Wine cutoff, but maybe you’ll find it for sale at $15 — it’s worth looking for! Appealing for its apricot preserves and juicy peach flavors and aromas, silky texture, and juicy finish. A sexy little wine with a spicy kick on the long finish. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 08/06)
Smoking Loon 2004 Viognier California ($9). Straightforward peach and juicy apple fruit finishes with a burst of citrus, vanilla bean and smoky oak. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 11/05)
Stags’ Leap 2002 Viognier Napa Valley ($25). A distinctive style, featuring a buttery, nutty full-bodied character supporting peach and pear and concentrated citrus fruit flavors. Finishes long and rich. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 06/04)
Victor Hugo 2004 Viognier Central Coast ($17). Delicious stuff, with nicely balanced apricot and peach flavors laced with warm spices and mineral notes. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/05)
Wattle Creek 2005 Viognier Alexander Valley ($31). Complex apricot, vanilla, spice and juicy melon aromas and flavors pick up some definite oak influence through the full finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 12/07)
Zaca Mesa 2006 Viognier Santa Ynez Valley ($18). Bright, fresh white peach and crisp citrus mingle with ripe apricot, with just a touch of creaminess. Stays focused and fruity through the finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 05/08)