Alamosa Wine Cellars 1999 Viognier Tio Pancho Ranch, Texas Hill Country ($16). Texas now has a second Viognier in the market, and it’s wonderful! The Alamosa Wine Cellars 1999 Viognier is 100% Viognier and showcases a lovely nose and palate of dried apricot, nectarine, melon and fig. Acidity is nicely balanced and an oaky note appears at the tail-end of the finish. Production was rather limited (152 cases), so hurry out and buy some. (Texas Wine Pick, 06/00)

Becker Vineyards 1998 Viognier ($17). Upon uncorking, the nose was very tight. I mean really closed. Virtually no nose, actually. But in all honesty, the wine had just come out of the cooler and was just too cold. Once the wine came to a more appropriate serving temperature, it began to open up. Aromas of pear and citrus were fulfilled in the mouth. This wine is a blend of 85% Viognier and 15% Chardonnay and was oak-aged for four months. The lightly oaked Chardonnay added some body and roundness to the wine. Touches of vanilla and dried apricot are also present and make the wine richer on the finish. (Texas Wine Pick, 02/00)