Winemaker Notes
A wine of full body and adaptability with game as well as the traditional pairings of fish, shellfish, poultry and Asian cuisine.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The apricot, papaya and rose bouquet of this viognier makes it stand out, and although it has plenty of richness and succulence, there's also a purity to the flavor, and the finish is really silky and long. Drink now or keep for up to a decade.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Viognier Reserve is unoaked and comes in at 13% alcohol. This is currently available. More concentrated and aromatic than the Vermentino, this is differently styled, but even better. Fresh and lively, it is exuberant in its youth, but dry and serious on the finish, despite the fine fruit and big nose. The aromatics are enticing, but the rest isn't so shabby. It is pretty fine—another reliable bottling from Barboursville that has some distinction at a nice price most of the time.
Full-figured and charmingly floral, Viognier is one of the most important white grapes of the northern Rhône where it is used both to produce single varietal wines and as an important blending grape. Look for great New World examples from California, Oregon, Washington and cooler parts of Australia. Somm Secret—Viognier plays a surprisingly important role in the red wines of Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône. About 5% Viognier is typically co-fermented with the Syrah in order to stabilize the color, and as an added benefit, add a subtle perfume.
Diversity of landscape, terrain and climate make Virginia one of the most exciting American wine producing states today. Its viticultural history reaches as far back as 1607 when early settlers made the first wine from indigenous American grapes.
Thomas Jefferson imported the first French varieties to Virginia and grew the Vitis vinifera species (the European species), though not with great success.
Today, however, increased knowledge and optimal vineyard management techniques bring prosperity with a great number of diverse varieties. Virginia’s varied landscape has created seven distinct AVAs (American Viticultural Areas).
Encouraged by an enthusiastic state government, fine wine production in Virginia continues to flourish. The state achieves success with a variety of wine types and styles including sparkling wines, Bordeaux Blends, Nebbiolo, Chardonnay, Viognier and less common whites like Petit Manseng and Vermentino.