Epoch Estate Wines, Viognier, York Mountain, California, 2023

Overview of the Wine
When setting out on our “crazy” quest to make wine, we did not have our sights set on any particular wine region. However, we knew two things for sure: we loved wines made from Rhone varieties, and being geologists, we understood the importance terroir plays in the making of world-class wines. Upon extensive research and travel, we kept coming back to Paso Robles for the weather, unique soils, hilliness, and extreme temperature swings that are known to this region and are found within each of our vineyard sites – Paderewski, Catapult, and York Mountain. The cowboy culture, entrepreneurial spirit, and unmistakable beauty were just added bonuses! 

Our own epoch officially began in 2004 with the purchase of our Paderewski Vineyard (there is a REALLY cool story behind this property and its name, but in an attempt to not be too long-winded here and now, check out this story for all of the details). This chapter became so fruitful (pun intended) that we spread our roots to Catapult Vineyard in 2008 and then the historic York Mountain Winery two years later…Today we are beyond blessed to be stewards of these lands, and we are honored to carry on the legacies of York Mountain and Ignacy Paderewski through our wines.  Wines that are carefully crafted from Rhone, Zinfandel, and Tempranillo varieties.  Like we said, there are a multitude of stories begging to be told within this short summary, so we hope you take some time to read more about us and eventually come see us in person!

Click here to watch our YouTube video with the winemaker!

Winemaker
Jordan Fiorentini

Grape / Blend
88% Viognier, 12% Roussanne

Origin
York Mountain, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
A one-of-a-kind refreshing and ephemeral Viognier from the long, luxuriously cool 2023 vintage delivers layers of nuance and vibrant flavors that unfold as the wine breathes – green pear, pineapple, kaffir lime, lemon curd, powdered sugar, white pepper, fresh cut sage, wet stone, and steely minerals. The palate starts off citrus-driven with white flowers woven throughout and gains depth as it fans out across the tongue, always maintaining a bright acid backbone. As the wine breathes, white peach, crisp nectarine, and honeysuckle add dimension to its mesmerizing perfume.  If you like the wine more refreshing, drink it young. If you want it to gain richness and weight, cellar age it for 2+ years.

94 Points - Wine Advocate
Blended with 12% Roussanne and aged six months in French oak, the 2023 York Mountain Viognier is an herbal, citrus-driven take on the variety, tamping down its usual floral exuberance and replacing it with elderflower and mountain sage aromas. The palate is svelte and seamless, with brilliant clarity and subtle phenolic richness driving the pure, bright finish. This is a beautiful and singular rendition of the varietal and one of the more compelling white wine bottlings in the region.

94 Points - The Wine Palate
The 2023 Viognier is a blend of 88% Viognier and 12% Roussanne. It was aged 6 months sur lie in French oak puncheons and barrels, 20% new. It swans out of the glass with showy notes of juicy white peaches, pear tart, and guava, leading to suggestions of nutmeg, rose oil, and candle wax. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers tropical and stone fruit layers with a satiny texture and a racy backbone, finishing long and perfumed.

93 Points - Vinous
The 2023 Viognier opens with an herbal vegetal note that I find wildly attractive before giving way to hints of kiwi, young mango, and wet stone. It's soft-textured, nearly oily in feel, yet quickly balanced by a whiplash of zesty acidity, sour grapefruit and lime, as saline minerals saturate throughout. The 2023 finishes incredibly long and full of tension, leaving a salty tinge to fade slowly. 

Product size: 750ml