2023 Epoch Viognier York Mountain

Blended with 12% Roussanne and aged six months in French oak, the 2023 York Mountain Viognier is an herbal, citrus-driven take on the variety, tamping down its usual floral exuberance and replacing it with elderflower and mountain sage aromas. The palate is svelte and seamless, with brilliant clarity and subtle phenolic richness driving the pure, bright finish. This is a beautiful and singular rendition of the varietal and one of the more compelling white wine bottlings in the region.

Blended with 12% Roussanne, the 2023 Viognier is almost made in a vibrant, crisp style. Slightly reductive notes of crushed citrus, white peach, and tangerine-like notes define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, has a round, layered mouthfeel, good acidity, and outstanding length.

The 2023 Viognier opens with an herbal, vegetal note that I find wildly attractive before giving way to hints of kiwi, young mango and wet stone. It's soft-textured, nearly oily in feel, yet quickly balanced by a whiplash of zesty acidity, sour grapefruit and lime, as saline minerals saturate throughout. The 2023 finishes incredibly long and full of tension, leaving a salty tinge to fade slowly.