Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
The peach and melon flavors are ripe and unctuous, showing overtones of vanilla custard, spice and honeysuckle. Generous and lingering on the long finish, with fresh acidity weaving in and out.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Coming from a tiny half acre of Viognier vines in the Santa Lucia Highlands, Roar's 2014 Viognier Sierra Mar Vineyard gives up lots of tropical fruits, lemon, pineapple and tangerine notes in a medium-bodied, balanced, lively style. It shows more Viognier floral and peach characteristics with time in the glass and is a delicious, outstanding Viognier to drink over the coming couple of years.
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.
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.