Ridge Viognier..

TomHill · February 2, 2011, 8:21pm

Just released to ATP members their 2009 Viognier:
RidgeViognierInfo

Only 63 brls made. They claim it’s their 1’st Viognier made.
They are wrong. They have made one before from Lytton grapes.
Tom

Glenn_L_e_v_i_n_e · February 2, 2011, 8:22pm

375s only?

larry_schaffer · February 2, 2011, 8:23pm

ONLY 63 barrels?!?!?? That may not be much to some, but to others, about 1600 cases is quite a bit . . .

Cheers!

Jeff_Fish · February 2, 2011, 8:37pm

What in sam hill is going on? Thackrey just released his first viognier also - Lyra. Is viognier the up and coming white varietal? I was just getting good with my addiction to grenache blanc.

TomHill · February 2, 2011, 8:43pm

Brain fart, Larry. Only 63 cs of 375’s.
Tom

larry_schaffer · February 2, 2011, 9:02pm

Uh Oh . . . . MY first Viognier will be out in the summer (NOT trying to plug - staying in line with the thread . . .)

C

larry_schaffer · February 2, 2011, 9:08pm

375 only? Is this a sweet wine?

Jorge_Henriquez · February 2, 2011, 9:29pm

jdietz · February 3, 2011, 5:06am

I love Viognier (hooray, Larry… I look forward to yours), but the mention of RS on this one worries me a bit… . I think I will wait for a TN from someone…

David_M · February 3, 2011, 9:32am

Look forward to the tasting notes. I was at Ridge on Tuesday the tasting was outside in the beautiful 70F Cali. sun and was beautiful, nothing like seeing the green hills of Lyton. The 2007 Bello, 2008 Pagani Zin, and 2007 SCM were killer.

Ken_Zinns · February 3, 2011, 3:35pm

I’d think Dry Creek Valley would be too warm for Viognier, or at least near the warmest extreme for that variety. Should be interesting to read the tasting notes on this one.

Wes_Barton · February 3, 2011, 5:51pm

Didn’t take notes, but… Day one: it was austere, waxy and flabby, showing just a hint of white peach. Day two: showed its best, with more complexity. Day three: the oak became very prominent, with a lot of various exotic wood notes.

If you’re a fan of the typical flabby Viognier, try it and see what you think. I’m not. To me this was a disappointment, considering excellent examples I’ve had, and that it’s Ridge.

If you want Viognier with backbone, try Nicholson (made by Ian Brand) or Cooper-Garrod’s (Santa Cruz Mountains).

John_Morris · February 3, 2011, 7:26pm

Wes – You don’t mention R.S. Was there none, then?

jdietz · February 3, 2011, 7:41pm

I figured flabby was covering that??

larry_schaffer · February 3, 2011, 8:19pm

I think I may be the one to ‘blame’ for the RS confusion - mentioining earlier in the thread that I wondered if there was since they bottled this as 375s only. If you click on the link, though, there is mention of ‘a touch of sweetness’ but no RS. This is NOT meant to be a dessert wine, but instead, a table wine, and thus the level of RS will most likely be quite low . . .

Haven’t tried it, but plan on doing so at the Rhone Rangers tasting next month in SF.

Cheers!

John_Morris · February 3, 2011, 8:33pm

Thanks for the clarification.

TimF · February 3, 2011, 8:44pm

I’m generally not a fan of Viognier (probably my least liked varietal) unless it’s mixed in with Syrah. And after Wes’ note, I’m definitely going to sit this one out.

Steve_Manzi · February 4, 2011, 1:15am

Viognier is one of my favorite white wines. Unfortunately, is rarely done right…or the way I like my Viognier.

Ian_Brand · February 4, 2011, 2:38pm

I think it is rarely done right because, like nebbiolo, it is very picky about where it can be planted. Too warm, too rich soils, it loses its balance in a heartbeat.

Wes_Barton · February 4, 2011, 6:39pm

Have you tried the Pleasant Valley Vineyards Viognier? That’s another one that impressed me. Looking at my notes, it’s from Paso grapes (Hansen Vyd.). I’ve had some impressive Nebbiolo from Paso, too.