Winemaker Notes
100% Viognier. The grapes are hand-picked in small bins, destemmed, crushed and cold macerated for 12 hours at low temperature, before pressing.The juice naturally clarified and fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Aging on the fine lees for six months before finishing and bottling. Ripe gooseberry, citrus and apple fruit flavors and crisp acidity. Brilliant yellow with green reflections. The bouquet has notes of tropical fruit and honey. Medium-bodied with nice complexity
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.
Part of the Coquimbo region, also with the Limari Valley, Elqui Valley is one of the northern wine producing regions of Chile, which historically focused on table grapes and pisco production. Intense sunlight and cooling effects of the ocean, together with rocky, clay soil make this one of Chile’s up-and-coming wine regions.