2018 VIOGNIER

Philosophy

Viognier’s rich texture, aromas of ripe stone fruit, citrus, tropical fruit, and haunting floral perfume have taken this northern Rhône variety from near extinction in the 1960s to a popular variety in the New World. Paso Robles, with its Rhône influence, has been a new refuge for this , and the 2018 JUSTIN Viognier is an appealing expression of this variety’s potential. Its full bodied, drier style, mouth-filling texture, and long finish have made this a favorite, especially for wine drinkers who normally don’t venture into the white zone.

Vintage Notes

The 2018 had a cool, dry winter with cooler temps and almost all the rain occurring from late February through March. Bud break began in mid to late March after a few warming periods. Temperatures fluctuated in April with some minor frost in a few . May and June alternated between warm and cool temperatures during flowering, including a few windy days that affected flowering and naturally reduced our yields a bit. Warm weather began in June and turned hot causing to begin around the last week of July. The high heat continued through mid-August causing the plants to shut down slightly, delaying ripeness and maturity until a cooling trend got things back on track in time to start picking our parcels in September. The characteristic Paso warm days and cold nights in September retained natural acidity in the fruit while we waited for ripeness and maturity to optimize in our viognier fruit, with our fruit being harvested a few weeks later than usual in mid-September.

Vinification Fermentation: Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented in neutral French with M2 yeast

Maturation: 7 months sur lie aged

A rich expression of Tasting Notes by Jim Gerakaris, CWE - JUSTIN Viognier in a classic, Appearance: Pale lemon color with moderate plus viscosity and slow forming tears in the full, dry style glass. Aroma: Aromatic with ripe stonefruit, yellow apple, white flowers, a slight tropical character Compostion: with a little toasted bread. Viognier Palate: Dry and full bodied with ripe apricot, lemon and golden delicious apple on entry and a Appellation: rounded feel on the palate. The mid palate features savory and more textural elements joining Paso Robles the ripe fruit through a moderately long finish that has a slight grippy texture and toasted grain Bottling Data: notes. The 2018 JUSTIN Viognier is a great wine to serve with a variety for cheeses. It’s a pH: 3.60 perfect wine with most holiday meals where versatility is key for the you’ll chose for the Total Acidity: 0.52 g/100mL meal. Alcohol: 14.0% by volume

Release Date: October 2019

Harvest Period: September 2018

11680 Chimney Rock Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446 | 805.238.6932 | [email protected] © 2019 by JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery LLC. All Rights Reserved. JUSTIN and JUSTIN LOGO are registered trademarks of JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery LLC.