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Specs:
2007 Cold Heaven Santa Rita Hills Viognier
Santa Rita HillsSanta Barbara County, California
14 % Alcohol
100% Viognier
http://www.coldheavencellars.com/
$19.99
Notes:
Cold Heaven Winery is known throughout the wine industry to produce some of the very best Viognier in California. Their winemaker, Morgan Clendenen, is extremely passionate about this grape as well as the high quality Viognier she produces. The care she puts into her wine is quite evident especially in this wine. The profile is clean, clear, and bright with a great balance of aroma and flavors.
In the glass the color is a clear, rich, bright gold. On the nose you can smell ripe fruit; citrus, nectarine and melon are on the forefront with hints of honey. On the palate this wine is smooth and sweet with a great acidity. The cool climate of the Santa Rita Hills adds this perfect balance of acidity, fruit, and minerality. The citrus flavors of lemon, lime, orange and orange blossom are so powerful yet so light on the palette. The honey notes along with some added tropical fruit flavors really round out the wines finish.
This wine is perfect served as a dessert wine or with a light fruity dessert like a pear tartlet. Because of its acidic quality, the wine would pair well with a salty cheese plate or spicy Asian/Indian dishes. This is a beautiful Viognier from a great producer and can be purchased online or in the greater Bay Area through K & L Wine Merchants.
Specs:
2008 Starlite Vineyards Estate Viognier Sonoma
Geyserville, California
14.5 % Alcohol
100% Viognier
http://www.starlitevineyards.com/
$37.00
Notes:
Being a lover of the Viognier grape I was excited to see this bottle on the shelf. It was from a winery I was unfamiliar with from a region I really enjoy. I immediately purchased this beautiful bottle of wine. Viognier is a difficult grape to grow and because of the extra work winemakers put into this varietal you will find higher price tags. This Viognier is well worth every penny you spend. The flavor is so bright and bold and is the perfect wine for all meals and occasions.
The color is a rich gold and is beautiful in the glass. The smell is of sweet dry citrus, mainly orange as well as honey and floral notes. The taste is pure and sweet. You instantly sense orange. That of the orange rind especially. The sweetness you get on the tongue is not that of sugar but of rich creamy honey. The flavors are bright, clean and powerful. This wine doesn't spend much time in oak so the flavor has more mineralistic qualities than earthly undertones. The taste lingers beautifully and has a hearty full mouthfeel.
Because this wine is so sweet if you choose to pair this with something I would suggest it have an acidic quality. Something such as a lemon tart or even carrot cake. It can also be drank as dessert itself which is how I chose to enjoy it. This is a great way to branch out from the usual Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc rut.
