2008 Viognier

Appellation: Clarksburg
Blend: 93% Viognier, 7% Marsanne
Ageing and Cooperage: Five months in 100% Neutral Oak, 4-5 year old barrels
Alcohol: 14.7%
Bottled: March 10th, 2008
Released: June 16th, 2009
Cases Produced: 452 cases

At the Baranek Family Vineyard there are only sixteen rows of well-cared for grapes that are planted in Clarksburg, a sleepy town located in the Sacramento Delta area. Sunny and hot in the summer with cool, breeze filled nights, it is an ideal location for growing Viognier.

HARVEST:
We handpicked 5.862 tons of Viognier in the early morning from September 8th-11th, 2008.
Average Sugar: 24.4 BRIX
Acidity: 0.60 g/100ml
pH: 3.60 units

FERMENTATION AND AGEING:
After whole cluster pressing and cold settling, the clear juice was racked into small stainless steel fermenters and inoculated with QA-23 yeast. Fermentation ensued and remained temperature controlled for approximately two weeks at 52 degrees until the Brix reading dropped to two degrees. At this point, the fermenting wine was transferred to four and five year-old French 60 gallon oak barrels for completion of fermentation. Here it remained on the lees and stirred every two weeks while it aged for five months. The wine did not go through malo-latic fermentation.

CHARACTERISTICS:
A very aromatic nose full of tropical fruit, predominantly lychee fruit, jasmine petals, and light honeysuckle. Stirring the lees two times a week over a five month period produced a full-bodied, viscous mouth-feel. Notes of white peach and nectarine on the mid-palate, followed by a long, pleasing aftertaste. A perfect accompaniment with dried fruit, cheese, fruit salads, and wild game, especially quail!