2016 J. Lohr Gesture Viognier
Be notified of future releases
Pale yellow in color, the 2016 J. Lohr Gesture Viognier offers aromas of orange blossom, apricot, jasmine, and wet stone. These aromas are complemented by the rich, balanced palate of ripe pear, Meyer lemon, white peach, and a long, textured finish.
— Kristen Barnhisel, winemaker, white wines
Wine Details
-
Composition Blend
-
100%
Viognier
-
-
Origin
Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, CA
-
Cellaring
Enjoyable now and will age well through 2020.
4 Years -
Food Pairings
Grilled chicken with orange ginger sauce, curried scallops, dukkah, Moroccan spiced nuts, or soft and semisoft cheeses.
Vintage
The 2016 vintage in western Paso Robles was moderate compared with recent vintages – mostly cool throughout the season with just a few warm spells to ripen the fruit. The temperatures of this coastal vineyard were ideal for retaining fresh flavors and acidity. Given that the soils hold water very well, minimal irrigation was applied during the growing season. We have many subtle differences in the two different sites where Viognier is grown at our Gean Ranch. Block 5, in the southern part of the ranch with heavier clay soils, brings citrus and strong floral notes, while Block 14 to the north with its gravelly, weathered sandstone, provides fruit with aromas of linalool, lychee and Asian spice. Harvesting of both blocks occurred on September 24th. Maturity, which is so important for Viognier, was reached at relatively high sugars (27.3° Brix), while retaining excellent acidity. The 2016 Gesture Viognier is a blend of both blocks, each contributing their own individuality to blend synergistically in the final wine.
Vineyards
The grapes for the Gesture Viognier are sourced from our Gean Vineyard in the Adelaida District of western Paso Robles. The Gean ranch, planted in 2010, is the western-most vineyard in the Paso Robles AVA. With a climate nearly identical to that of the Northern Rhône, combined with well-drained soils of calcareous shale and weathered sandstone, this vineyards’ terroir is a perfect match for growing Viognier. The warm days with southern and western exposures on this hillside vineyard help to naturally develop ripe, lush flavors, while the cool nights allow for a longer hangtime, giving the wines power and depth.
