Gramercy Cellars Viognier 2017, Washington
An interesting opportunity presented itself to Gramercy Cellars to source fruit from a beautiful vineyard called Antoine Creek, just east of Lake Chelan along the banks of the Columbia River. The Lake Chelan AVA is a much cooler region of Washington and is ideal for white wines, especially Viognier.
Viognier is a tricky grape to grow in the vineyard. In hot sites, the grapes tend to get fully mature on the sun side of the cluster and completely under-ripe on the shade side of the cluster. In Condrieu, some producers are known to rotate the clusters to get the backside ripe. The grapes coming from Antoine Creek Vineyard have consistent ripeness throughout the cluster, most likely a product of being grown in a cooler area. The 2017 is a perfect balance of texture and elegance. The nose is floral, tropical and mineral. This wine has a very long mouthfeel with intense acid structure but remains balanced. (Sorry the only picture I could find was 2015)
Fermented 75% of the wine in stainless steel to give the wine freshness and 25% in neutral wood with battonage to add texture.
Fresh ginger, jasmine, honeysuckle, lemongrass, fresh ripe pear, nectarine, honeydew melon and lemon candy. Overall very fresh and light with an intense mid-palate. Totally dry with a slight hint of oak.
$24.00
