2014 Stags' Leap Viognier Napa Valley

91 Points - International Wine Report

"This begins with aromas of honeysuckle, banana and poached pear. There are flavors of golden delicious apple, minerals, starfruit and apricot. There is a rich mouthfeel and a slight sweetness, not in a cloying way. Delicious and lithe wine that is perfect for shellfish." - Owen Bargreen, November 2015

Tasting Notes

The 2014 Viognier impresses for its array of white peach, apricot, honeysuckle and citrus blossom. It preserves the variety’s rich nuances but remains vibrant and elegant throughout. Crisp and distinctively fresh, this Viognier maintains an enviable balance of floral subtlety, bracing minerality and rich texture.

Vineyard Notes

The fruit for this wine was sourced from Oak Knoll and Carneros, both in the southern part of Napa Valley, in cool vineyards that produce grapes with refreshing, natural acidity and refined aromatic expression ideal for this Viognier.

Vintage Notes

Despite drought conditions, the 2014 vintage proved to be ideal, with excellent quality reminiscent of 2012 and 2013. The winter was one of the driest on record in California, but substantial rains in early spring were timely and set up the vines for a strong start. Summer temperatures were milder than expected with no extremes, and after early budbreak and veraison, harvest was unusually early in 2014.

Winemaking Notes

The beauty of Viognier is captured in its freshness, and the traditional techniques used by Winemaker Christophe Paubert preserve that splendor. Harvested by hand, the fruit was whole cluster pressed and fermented in neutral French oak barrels. It was then aged on the lees and stirred every week for four months. This wine does not go through malolactic fermentation to preserve just enough of the delicate floral aromas, fruit freshness and balanced acidity.

Varietal Composition: 100% Viognier
ABV: 14.3%