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Acclaim
90 Points - Robert Parker, Jr., Wine Advocate, #174 December 2007

Winemaker's Notes
The cool climate and long growing season of the Russian River are well suited to Viognier. The slow ripening of the fruit results in a powerfully heady bouquet backed by wonderful acidity. Our 2006 is teaming with apricots, peaches, honeysuckle and a dash of honey. The flavors are rich, intense and wonderfully exotic.

Viognier made its debut with great fanfare in California more than two decades ago. A handful of winemakers -- including Richard, who produced one of the state's first Viogniers back in 1991 -- proclaimed this nearly extinct grape (only 30 acres were remaining in 1965) had the potential to do grand things in the Golden State. Turns out they were right.

When planted in the proper location, Viognier yields wines that are beguiling and compelling. In France, that location is the town of Condrieu in the Northern Rhone Valley, where Viognier has been cultivated for nearly 2000 years. For us, it's Saralee's Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. This rolling 275-acre site is one of our favorite sources for Rhone varieties in Sonoma County. Viognier was first planted here back in 1989, making it one of earliest cultivations of the grape in California. (Subsequent plantings have since raised the vineyard's total to 7.3 acres.).

Varietal Composition: 100% Viognier
Appellation: Sonoma County
Viticultural Areas/Vineyards: Russian River Valley - Saralee's Vineyard
Harvest Date: September 15 through October 26, 2006
Average Sugar at Harvest: 24.7° Brix
Average pH (Harvest/Bottling): 3.8/3.9
Average Total Acid (Harvest/Bottling): .68g per 100ml/.48g per 100ml
Fermentation and Aging: 100% malolactic fermentation; aged in seasoned French oak barrels for five months
Alcohol by Volume: 14.1%
Release Date: April 2008
Total Production: 619 cases