2002 J Viognier, Hoot Owl Vineyard, Alexander Valley

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The Vineyards
The 2002 J Viognier was harvested form the Hoot Owl Vineyard located in the Alexander Valley. This is a recent planting for this vineyard and this vintage produced the first grapes from this area.

Processing
Whole grape clusters were hand-harvested, then pressed gently to a stainless steel tank for fermentation. After fermentation the wine was racked to another stainless steel vessel and oak barrels. The stainless steel portion was inoculated with a malolactic culture and allowed to ferment.

Ageing
50 percent of the juice was aged in 60-gallon French oak barrels. A partial malolactic fermentation was carried on about 50 percent of the juice. The remaining juice was fermented at cool temperatures in a stainless steel tank in order to preserve the fruit character of the wine.

Tasting Notes
This luscious wine comes with a powerhouse of aromas-honeysuckle, tangerine, and peach. The wine is a brilliant clean pale straw color. Further aromas include tropical and pear fruit. The first sip of this Viognier confirms the peach and apricot aromas. These fruit flavors are followed by orange citrus and a faint hint of brown spice. Our Viognier has crisp firm acids which defy the flabbiness that sometimes plagues this varietal. The finish is long and lingering with a lovely orange zest twist.

Harvest Analysis: Average sugar 25.0° Brix

Final Analysis: Alcohol 15.3% by volume

Bottling Date: April 30, 2003

340 cases produced

Available for purchase exclusively at the J Visitor Center.