2009 Viognier, Parkmon Estate Vineyard

Lamorinda (Contra Costa County)

In this, the fourth harvest of our own Estate Vineyard Viogner, we experienced the rare, fortunate combination of great quality and a plentiful yield. This edition is a great example of what Viognier has to offer: beautiful floral aromas of white peach, apricot and honeysuckle with a rich, but not overly viscous mouthfeel on the palate. Flavors unfold to reveal an intense, deep fruit-driven wine that is big enough to stand up to richer, spicier foods, but still offers the acidity and litheness to be refreshing. The smooth, clean finish is expansive and lengthy.

Ordinarily, Viognier is not a varietal that is recommended for long-term aging, but in re-visiting a bottle on the 2nd day after opening, I found it every bit as enjoyable (maybe even more so!) as when it was first opened, leading me to believe this can be enjoyed both now and over the next 3-5 years with proper storage. Try it with a Bosc pear and walnut salad sprinkled with crumbled feta, or today, with Crab Cakes. This wine is also a good pairing with spicier pan-Asian or Thai cuisine. Make sure you get your order in early for this crowd-pleaser because it will sell-out fast!