2012 ROLL RANCH VIOGNIER

Upper Ojai, Ventura CountyVIRR

After a year hiatus due to frost damage in 2011 we are proud to offer our unique interpretation of dry viognier. As is the case for most French southern Rhone varietals, viognier suffers from being either unknown or misunderstood. Since 2009 Adam has worked hard at crafting a lighter, more delicately perfumed variation on this typically heavy varietal. The result is a wine that expresses its unique white flower fragrances while finding the freshness and saline side that is so rarely explored.  When captured early at Roll Ranch, located in the warm upper reaches of the Ojai valley, the fruit has a golden rich fragrance that is penetrating but never tiring, and freshly floral more than oily or intoxicating. It makes for a wine that can appear shy against its peers but ultimately pairs with food rather than competes with it, the texture enhancing flavors the way salt does but without saturating the senses. The 2012 vintage being a rather classically warm California year brought this wine opulence that was not present in 2010. It has garnered a lot of attention amongst Rhone wines aficionados, which is for us the indication that American wine culture is continuing to move towards wines that are aware of their surroundings and blossom with the accompaniment of food.

Blend: 100% | Viognier Vineyard: Roll Ranch | AVA: California | Alcohol: 13.5% | Vinification: Neutral New French Oak | Barrel Aging: 11 Months | Total Production: 137 Cases

Buy the 2012 Roll Ranch Viognier 

Press Reviews

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“The 2012 Viognier Roll Ranch is a beauty! Perfumed, floral and classy, it has loads of sweet peach and tropical fruits, tangerine and white flowers that flow nicely to a medium-bodied, sweetly fruited profile on the palate.” – JD 91 Points

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar

“Pale yellow. Intensely perfumed scents of lime, white peach, jasmine and anise – very viognier. Bright and sharply focused, offering tangy citrus and pit fruit flavors complicated by dusty mineral and floral notes. Finishes with a lively bite of lime zest and excellent, tangy persistence. These vines, which were planted in 1995, are on their own roots.” – JR 91 Points

2012 Roll Ranch Viognier One Sheet