90pts VinePiar

Viognier is super expressive. When made as a dry wine white it gives perfumed aromas and oily textures. As a sweet wine, it takes us on a different journey. This example from the Robert Young vineyard in Alexander Valley has a musky nose with notes of orange blossom, ginger, and chamomile tea. The fragrant nose is balanced on the palate with great acidity, breaking through the wine’s viscosity.

Blend : 100% Viognier in 50% new French oak for 9 months

Winemaker Notes

The 2022 Robert Young Vineyard Viognier came into the winery at the end of harvest the very high sugar content of 31.4-degree Brix. It was gently pressed, then settled and moved to 4 French burgundy barrels, two of which were new. It was inoculated and fermentation stopped at 110 grams per liter of residual sugar. The wine was filtered and bottled in late July 2023. The 2022 Late Harvest Viognier from Robert Young Vineyard in Alexander Valley pours a brilliant golden hue and presents an enticing bouquet of ripe apricots, white peaches, orange blossoms, and honeysuckle. On the palate, it offers a luxurious, viscous texture with a harmonious interplay of sweet apricots, juicy peaches, and delicate honey, all complemented by a refreshing acidity and subtle notes of ginger and cinnamon. The finish is long and memorable, with flavors of ripe stone fruits and honey lingering. This late harvest Viognier beautifully encapsulates the grace and complexity of the Viognier grape, making it an exceptional dessert wine that celebrates the terroir of Alexander Valley.

Winery Notes

The Young family have lived on and farmed their 448-acre ranch in Alexander Valley for over 160 years, passed down through 6 generations. Robert Young Vineyards is the largest family-owned grower of premium grapes in Alexander Valley, and Robert Young was the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in the valley back in 1963.