Wines

2004 Viognier

The wine has intense aromatics typical of Viognier, including apricot, pear and melon. As the wine warms up in your glass it will change, showing more pronounced melon and key-lime nose. The acidity is crisp, without being too sharp. I think this is a delicious California Viognier, despite being a bit on the boozy side. It's best to drink this wine chilled to hide a bit of the heat.

The grapes were sourced in January 2005 from Brehm Vineyards as frozen juice. I made 20 litres using a white wine yeast (can't remember which, sorry) and TA was adjusted to 0.7g/100ml with an addition of tartaric acid. Fermentation lasted roughly two weeks at 13 ºC with a twice-daily stirring. The wine was then aged 8 months in glass with 1/4 lbs of French oak cubes.

It was bottled in December 2005. Only 2 cases made.


Technical Details

Style:
Dry white wine
Varietal:
Viognier
Alcohol by Vol:
~15.5%
Residual Sugar:
0%
Production:
12 bottles & 24 splits
Brix:
25.6°B
TA:
5.1 g/l
ph:
3.75
Pick date:
August 25, 2004
Volume:
20 litres
Fermentation:
14 days
Region:
North Coast, California
AVA:
Suisun Valley