2010 Failla Viognier Alban Vineyard

The 2010 Viognier Alban Vineyard is quite rich and textured in this vintage. Apricot, peach and lychee notes all flesh out in a Viognier that emphasizes depth and body over some of the more floral nuances that are typical of the grape. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2015. Ehren Jordan is one of those people who are maddeningly talented at many things. Jordan recently left his post at Turley, where he spent nearly 20 years making a dizzying array of superb Zinfandels. At Failla, which Jordan owns with his wife Anne-Marie, the focus is on cool-climate Chardonnays and Pinots, rendered in a range that approximates Turley when it comes to the number of different bottlings. Did I mention Jordan is versed in the classics and is also a licensed pilot? Jordan wants to spend more time at Failla, and I believe it, given the breadth of this range. Frankly, I can’t imagine how Ehren took care of similarly large portfolios at both Turley and Failla while maintaining a sense of sanity. It will be interesting to see how things develop at Failla. The wines are already stellar, as I hope these notes amply demonstrate. Simply put, Failla is a reference point winery for the Sonoma Coast. This is as good as it gets. Tel. (707) 963-0530

Good bright yellow. Musky aromas of mirabelle, ginger and botanical herbs are intriguing if not necessarily viognier-like. Then silky, dry and round, with a distinctly glyceral quality to the liqueur-like stone fruits and exotic flowers. Manages to hide its 14.7% alcohol nicely. Proprietor/winemaker Ehren Jordan notes that this viognier has a rather low pH. Very interesting wine.