High up in the Sierra Nevada, in the California Gold Country town of Auburn. lies this gem of a vineyard of Viognier, planted and managed by the father and son team of John and Joe Damiano. When picked just a bit less ripe than many CA Viogniers, the fruit expresses lively citrus and gentle white flower aromatics, while barrel fermentation in mostly older French oak barrels leads to a wine of perfect structure and creamy-crispy balance.
Winemaker Notes:
Beautiful nose of white flowers (jasmine, gardenia and honeysuckle) mingled with pretty green tea, grapefruit and orange zest aromas, only a light kiss of creamy vanilla oak toast. Super crisp acidity without being puckery tart, just pinpoint balanced with trace of sweetness and creaminess from oak. Juicy, mouth-watering Honey-crisp apple and citrus, green peach fruit. Great structure to pair with lemon-butter shrimp or Thai food or even to drink solo.
-
Harvest Date:
- August 24, 2019
-
Average TA/pH at Harvest:
- 0.49 Total Acid /3.65 pH at harvest
-
Fermentation Characteristics:
- Destemmed to press and cold settled.
-
Cellar Storage/Aging:
- 100% barrel fermented, stirred weekly sur lie.
No Malo-lactic fermentation, so it is crisply finished.
-
Varietal:
- 96% Viognier - 2 clones (50% Calera and 50% Entav 642),
4% Chardonnay
-
Appellation:
- Damiano Vineyard (Auburn, Placer County) Sustainably farmed
Located at about 1600 ft elevation in Sierra Foothills
-
Release Date:
- September 1, 2019
