TN: 2014 K Vintners Viognier Art Den Hoed Vineyard

WINE TALK
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  • 2014 K Vintners Viognier Art Den Hoed Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (10/24/2020)
    Still life left. Floral, slate, grapefruit, lemon and spice. Medium finish. Had this several times and it always delivers. 92 points (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Thanks for the TN

I recently came across this quote by Patrick Comiskey in his American Rhone book:
It’s worthy of noting that Viognier seems to have found a place in Washington State, where more temperate growing conditions- the grapes have higher levels of acidity at peak maturity- have resulted in wines that have more natural balance than many of its counterparts in California. It remains an outlier, but is easier to grow and make up there.

Based on a very small sample size I wouldn’t have said that but perhaps I should be giving WA Viognier a deeper look. Other opinions on this generalization? Regards.

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Viognier grown in the Yakima Valley tends to have better acidities and balance and less of the tinned peaches kinds of notes.

Destiny Ridge vineyard tends to produce really nice Viognier, as does Tudor Hills, McKinley Springs and a couple others.

Look out for K, Alexandria Nicole, and Maryhill.

WA overall produces so many great wines due to the diurnal shift = longer hang times resulting in phenolic ripeness and cool nights give elevated acidities.

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Thanks for the tips. Went back through my notes and saw I’ve had a number of excellent whites from Boushey vyd, especially marsanne, but not Viognier. I am going to keep my eyes out for wines from the cooler sites. Anyone know what vineyard Darby sourced the Viognier for his Le Deuce from?

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Probably Stillwater Creek.

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Look out for K, Alexandria Nicole, and Maryhill.

Kris have you tried any of these from Alexandria Nicole? They are offering 50% for teachers and I have only tasted the Jet Black Syrah which was really solid.

2019 a2 Chardonnay
2019 a2 Sauvignon Blanc
2017 Quarry Butte
2017 Jet Black

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Thanks John for the tip. I will have to check out Alexandria Nicole. Always love teacher discounts!

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Not the specific vintages, but Jet Black and Quarry Butte are historically solid and cooler climate expressions of Syrah and BDX from Destiny Ridge.

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Steve,

If you want to give just one Washington Viognier a shot, I’d sign up for the Kobayashi mailing list. Travis made a spectacular Viognier from the WeatherEye Vineyard in 2018 and I expect the 2019 to rival any domestic Viognier for superiority. His Marsanne is equally impressive!

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This.

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Thanks Jared and Dale for the Kobayashi tip. Will give it a go. Peace.

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I need to try this. Good call out, sorry I missed it first go around.