Year: 2014
Producer: San Simeon
Region: Paso Robles, California
Grape(s): Viognier
Alcohol: 15.1d%
Body: Medium
Dry/Sweet: Sweet
Tasting Notes: Apricot, ripe peach, lime
Pairings: Seared scallops with butter, fried rice, baked pie (apple, pear or peach)
Price (approximately): $15
My Musings:
Often California Viognier can be a bit too oaked for my taste, but this particular wine was a really pleasant surprise. Wonderful aromatics of apricot and ripe peach fill the nose, with soft accents of citrus (lime peel) and floral elements. On the palate, the stone fruit is balanced nicely with citrus and green apple. Slightly oaked, the nose and palate is met with toasty, spicy elements that complement rather than dominate.
Viognier is a classic pairing with scallops and lobster, particularly if there is as cream sauce involved. It is also one of my standard wines to pair with fried rice, which often carries complicated flavor profiles. Last night I enjoyed with baked pear pie. The baked crust and autumn fruit pair wonderfully with the stone fruit flavors, toasted oak elements, and round body of the Viognier.
Cheers!