Winemaker Notes
The 2021 SITE Viognier Larner Vineyard displays a vibrant green and yellow color and offers aromas of lemon zest, white peach and pear. The mouth has abundant acid and a hint of peach pit.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
All varietal brought up in neutral puncheon, the 2021 Viognier Larner Vineyard has textbook apricot, honeyed tangerines, flowers, and chalky, subtly nutty nuances in a richly textured, medium to full-bodied, concentrated style. Its balance as well as purity are spot on, and this beauty brings classic Viognier richness and subtle oiliness while staying light on its feet and elegant. Bravo.
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.
Accounting for only ten percent of the greater Santa Ynez AVA, Ballard Canyon’s north-south orientation provides an ideal pattern of sunshine and martime fog for producing excellent Syrah. While Syrah is planted to half of the total AVA acreage, an additional third is dedicated to other Rhône varieties, red and white.