Vintage Walla Walla

[Bucko]

Glad that you liked the Leowoodie..... [img]http://205.243.144.43/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

WA has great potential for Viognier. I've tried a lot of them lately that have been delicious:

2001 McCrea, Viognier, Yakima Valley, Washington, $22, 341 cases. This light gold beauty has an enticing bouquet that is filled with lychee, lemon, pineapple and apricot scents that float on the nose then expand out over the palate. There is a lot of depth and character to this wine and contains fruit from both Ciel du Cheval Vineyard and Elerding Vineyard. 92/93.

2002 Rulo, Viognier, Columbia Valley, Washington, $18, 770 cases. Typical of the grape, this wine is very aromatic, with lots of honeysuckle and citrus. Stone fruit and citrus unfolds in the mouth, with lots of minerality on the protracted finish. 91/92.

2002 Whitman Cellars, Viognier, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, $18, 198 cases. With a tad too much wood for my oak sensitive palate, this is a very nice wine nevertheless. Floral scents blend with peach, apricot and toasty oak notes. Medium-bodied, with layered fruit, the wine has a brisk, refreshing finish. 90/91.

2001 Waterbrook, Viognier, Columbia Valley, Washington, $20, 603 cases. Aromas of citrus, honeysuckle and melon carry over to the palate, with a nice dose of minerality. Well-balanced, this medium-bodied wine finishes on a crisp note. 89/90.

2002 Isenhower, Dragonfly, Columbia Valley, Washington, $18, 200 cases. This is an interesting blend of Viognier and Rousanne. Tropical fruit and orange zest highlights the wine, with nice structure. Seeing only stainless steel, the bracing acidity makes this a no-brainer for Asian foods. 88/88.

2001 Columbia Winery, Viognier, Red Willow Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington, $40. This straw colored wine has a pleasant light peach tinge and a delightful nose of flowers, ripe peaches and mandarin oranges. The mouth feel is full and round, with firm acids. Columbia has made a nice Viognier here, but is out of step with the pricing. 88/86.

2001 Kestrel, Viognier, Yakima Valley, Washington, $20, 247 cases. Quite viscous, with a slight leesy note, the wine delivers pineapples, peaches, and apricots across the senses, finishing on a soft note. 87/87.

2002 Cougar Crest, Viognier, Walla Walla Valley, Washington, $18, 390 cases. A lovely sparkling gold color catches the eye. Pear, citrus, and floral aromas are noted as well on the palate, finishing on a crisp note. 85/85.