Named in honor of Ron Melville’s mother, Verna’s vineyard in Los Alamos is planted to seven acres of viognier on sandy and deficient soils and is a combination of Alban selection and clone 1. Slightly warmer and windier then our Sta. Rita Hills property, this estate has proven well-suited for growing this aromatic varietal. The fruit was gently pressed, transferred to neutral barrel and stainless steel, cold-fermented at 45°F for three months and prepared for bottling in March. Cold fermentation, neutral oak, stainless steel and the avoidance of malo-lactic fermentation were employed to retain the wine’s freshness and exotic expressions.
Tasting Notes: Pure exotic expressions of white currant, passion fruit, prickly pear and wild flowers mix with refreshing hints of lime water, pea tendril and citrus blossom. Exuding from the glass is also a decadent aromatic collection reminiscent of rock candy, honey oil and magnolia. The mouthfeel has great presence weaving all these nuances together finishing with strong ample persistence and delicate restraint.
|
