2012 Chateau d'Abalone Viognier, Paso Robles 750ml 2-Pack

One ton per acre and one percent residual sugar? Let Winemaker Stillman Brown explain, please, lest you shut your palate to this beautiful wine - Stillman shares the same distaste for out of balance, artificially sweetened swill. This isn’t one, and he is not the only taster to drink his words after tasting this wine; his assistant winemaker swears this is the best Paso Robles Viognier he’s ever had, and his have won a pile of medals. While the very low vineyard yield was the result of an unprotected, horrid hot spell in July, the wine has more than abundant acidity and the fermentation stuck naturally.

The peach, pineapple, citrus and coconut (not from barrel!) aromas and flavors are stunning, and the palate has a real richness and viscosity. Rather than ruin the wine by heating and adding ‘fix-it’ yeast, or blending it out, Stillman chose to bottle it as is and show it off. Perfect in a hot tub, or with Cthulhu’s favorite seafood with mango salsa. Extract, freshness, balance.