Until recently, this grape varietal was found almost exclusively in the small Northern Rhone appellation known as Condrieu, where its ancestry could be traced to Roman times. Today it is more widely planted but it’s still rare in the Willamette Valley. They planted 1-1/4 acres of Viognier in 1993 on the warmest site at Cristom. They planted an additional 1-3/4 acres in 2003 that is adjacent to the original planting. Orange zest, honeysuckle and white pepper are showing off on the nose of this green-gold Viognier. Fruit-juicy pear and ripe-apple flavors enter on the palate. This vintage is potentially more viscous and ripe than usual but it still has a refreshing and clean finish. Winemaker Steve Doerner feels that Viognier is best-consumed young while the exotic aromatics of this grape variety are at their most scintillating. Reviews: " Medium straw. Dried lemon, pear skin, honeysuckle and minerals on the nose; smells more like marsanne or roussanne than viognier. Chewy, medium-bodied citrus and orchard fruit flavors give way to succulent melon and fresh pineapple with air and pick up an exotic anise quality. The finish is dry and mineral-driven, leaving dusty lemon pith and pear notes behind. This is strikingly uncompromising for New World viognier and would be excellent with roasted birds or strong cheeses." -Rated 90, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar |
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