88+ 2006 Tablas Creek Viognier Paso Robles 5/3/09 ($25)
14.3% alc
Color: Light gold. (3.0) Bouquet: Ginger and other spices with subtle honeysuckle fruit and some oak. (2.5) Body: Solid middleweight plus with VG fruit, acidity and varietal forcefulness with oak meeting. Rich, silky mouthfeel. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but more expressive with rosemary spice, anise and honeysuckle coming through. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor, but not quite as open. Also some bitterness. (2.5)
Overall: Very good Viognier with a restrained character that takes time to open. That is, it needs air or bottle age, and most importantly serve at about cellar temperature (55°F). A fine expression of Viognier with honeysuckle fruit, and anise, rosemary and ginger nuances complementing. This has the weight and fruit to improve with a few years of bottle age. If drinking now, decant for an hour or two. (14.0)