2015 Estate Viognier

• Varieties:
  100% Viognier
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles
• Average brix at harvest:
  23.2
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.6%
• Acidity:
  0.66 g/100ml
• pH:
  3.41
• Residual sugar:
  0.02 g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  May 17, 2016
• Cases produced:
  190
• Retail Price:
  $ 22.00

Growing conditions:
Challenging! 2015: Early budbreak and erratic temperatures swings. No frost, but cool, windy weather during bloom led to shatter in many varieties. Early harvest with excellent quality due to tiny berry size, while yields were miniscule due on-going drought and poor set.

Winemaking:
The grapes were hand harvested, then whole cluster pressed while still cool. Barrel fermented in 30% new and 70% seasoned Hungarian oak barrels. The wine was aged on its lees passively for 6 months.
This process produced a richer mouthfeel and allowed the wine to be bottled with minimal filtration.

Tasting notes:
Aromas of ripe apricot and honeysuckle are intertwined with elusive hints of almond blossom in the background. Rich, silky mouth feel from fermentation plus 6 months of passive lees contact in Hungarian oak barrels culminates with a long, rich finish.

Cellaring:
Drink now!! This Viognier will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 12-24 months, but why wait??

Food selection:
This Viognier will enhance soft ripe cheeses, spicy Asian cuisine as well as richer ocean selections such as scallops, oysters, and lobster.