“Love Chardonnay? Give Viognier a try!” - Chicago Tribune

Viognier is one tough grape to get right Operatives. And we procured one that’s JUST right! As in RIGHT here, RIGHT now, RIGHT ON RIGHT. The price, after the massive break, the accolade, on the conservative side, and the aromatics. Oh, that intoxicating, head-spinning, mind-altering perfume! French benchmark examples this intense come from Condrieu, and cost upwards to 100 bucks per bottle. Varietally true, gorgeously scented, and startlingly affordable at under $20 thanks to a Wine Spies only 40% break on this popular Santa Barbara white. We can’t think of a better Fall wine to have around, so stock up, you know we will.

Pale golden, with eye-catching highlights glimmering as silver streaks. A massive burst of honeydew, ripe apricot, sweet vanilla, and a flower garden potpourri greet the nose. If this came in perfume bottles it would sell like hotcakes. Seemingly sweet while bone dry on the palate, with perplexing intensity, and viscosity in perfect balance and harmony. Exotically honeyed, spicy, seamless, and very long lingering aromatics on the accentuated finish that leave you yearning for more. This is the perfect white for a wild mushroom risotto to contrast the savory earthiness and the cheesy umami.

Santa Ynez Valley offers the best of both worlds. Being the Southernly California appellation, it’s drenched with perfectly intense sunshine all growing season long. Thanks to the coastal ranges taking a parallel twist just to the West though, a constant flow of cool ocean breezes sweep the Valley bringing the heat of the day to a cold night to accentuate aromatics and freshness. This is what Viognier exactly needs and wants to retain all its haunting perfume while ripening to perfection. Very few areas in the world have this climate and the results are obvious in the glass.

Winemaker Bryan Davison has an admirable resume, having worked at some of our favorite wineries, including Martin Ray, Chateau St. Jean, and Michel-Schlumberger, in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. Bryan’s style is opulent yet natural. Today’s wine reflects his decades of winemaking excellence.

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

90 Points – Wine Enthusiast - “Rounded honeysuckle, honey butter and seared white-peach aromas make for a fairly rich entry to this estate bottling. Yellow-peach and creamy mango flavors show on the sip, but the ripe fruit evolves into a savory sea salt and saffron side, finishing with a hint of pound cake.”