Calera Wine Company : Viognier 2016

A Dynamic and Creamy Viognier from California

Inspired by his time spent working at the legendary Romanee-Conti and other prestigious properties in Burgundy, John Jensen purchased a high-elevation, limestone-rich parcel near Mt. Harlan in California's San Benito County in 1974. His idea was to adopt a Burgundy style winemaking to produce high-quality, cool-climate Pinot Noir, along with white varietals like Chardonnay, Viognier and Aligote. The Calera estate originally included just three parcels of Pinot Noir: the Selleck, Reed and Jensen Vineyards. In 1982, Jensen expanded the estate by purchasing 300 acres of land on a limestone mountain, of which 2 acres he planted with Viognier in 1983, back when few other Californian winemakers were experimenting with this variety. In 1989, he added 3 more acres of Viognier. In addition to producing estate wines, Jensen also began working closely with talented local wine growers, sourcing grapes for Calera's Central Coast AVA range.

The Central Coast Viognier 2015 by Calera Wine Company is made with 100% Viognier carefully sourced from several different vineyards in California's Central Coast Viticultural Area. The 2016 vintage was close to ideal, though a bit early, characterized by great yields and concentrated flavors. Following a manual harvest, the whole grape clusters were pressed and the juice moved by gravity to the barrel cellar, where it underwent fermentation 80% in neutral French oak barrels and 20% in concrete tanks, using 100% native yeasts. A complete malolactic fermentation followed and the wine was aged for eight months in the same vessel in which it was fermented.

The Central Coast Viognier 2015 by Calera Wine Company bursts forth with vibrant aromas of peach, honeysuckle, jasmine and lemon chiffon, with hints of fresh green apple, mango, mandarin, and licorice. On the palate, this Californian Viognier is very dynamic and creamy, with tropical fruit and orange blossom coming forth on the generous, viscous finish.