Amalie Robert Viognier 08

2008 Vintage Tasting Notes

Be still my heart - this is a northwest Viognier that approaches the ephemeral beauty that is Condrieu. (Condrieu is a village in France that produces the worlds best Viognier.)

The best Viognier contains complex, delicate, yet intense scents and flavors, defying simple description. Just when you think you can describe what you're tasting, the flavors evolve into something else. The Amalie Robert Viognier has this quality - it evolves and changes from first scent to the end of its long finish.

First impression? Intensity. In both the scent and flavor, beautiful, layered white flowers, anise, five spice, citrus and creamy stone fruit prevail. We love the acidity, lifting the silky, creamy fruit with fresh citrus and minerals.

Listening to Dena and Robert talking about this wine, it's amazing that any of it gets to market. Robert would rather keep it all for themselves. We're glad they've released a miniscule ten cases to the market. Maybe scarcity adds to the cachet, but I'll remember this Viognier as one of the highlights of 2009.

The bouquet opens with intense honeysuckle, passion fruit, yellow citrus and fresh ginger. The wine is rich and coating on the palate with a mélange of tropical fruits and spice. The finish is laser focused and unyielding, providing balanced acidity and due heft. 17 cases produced. - the winery

This wine is 100% Amalie Robert Estate grown Viognier. Among our 30 acres of Pinot Noir, we have planted 0.20 acres (297 vines to be exact) of Viognier. We grow Viognier right next to the 1,188 Syrah vines. It is our little Northern Rhône block. - the winery