Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Another terrific vintage for this cuvee, which is from a collaboration between Jeff Cohn and Yves Gangloff, the 2013 Viognier 2 Guys 2 Barrels is one of the few Viogniers from California to have true Condrieu-like minerality and richness. Giving up lots of apricot, orange blossom, honeycomb and brioche, this fabulous white has full-bodied richness, notable concentration and a still fresh, focused and pure feel on the palate. It's a beautiful Viognier to drink over the coming year or two.
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.
Just northeast of Napa city, Atlas Peak boasts some of Napa Valley’s highest elevation vineyards. Here the intense sunlight coupled with cool, nighttime temperatures produce grapes that are perfectly ripe, balanced and concentrated. The appellation is rich in volcanic soils and excels in the production of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.