I’ve lived in Virginia long enough to know that I shouldn’t get too complacent about the warmer temperatures at the end of the winter/start of spring. Given the relatively mild winter we’ve had this year, I feel like I need to be particularly careful not to jinx things. That said, I’ve decide to embrace the warmer days when they’re here, and part of thinking spring in my book is drinking like its spring. That means I’m starting to add more white wines into the rotation. One of these wines we had recently was the 2009 Pollak Vineyards viognier.
When I first swirled and sniffed this wine, I noted some fairly typical viognier characteristics: white stone fruit (primarily apricot) and honeysuckle. As I started to sip, however, I noted some interesting elements. I noted the honeysuckle, apricot, and peach you might expect from a viognier, but I also noted some lime zest elements. Lime is not a flavor I typically associate with viognier, but it was really working for me here. I also noted that this wine, aged completely in stainless steel, had a nice full mouthfeel. You typically find that slightly fuller-bodied viognier when some oak is used, but here you can find it without the oak influence (something I’m not typically a big fan of with this grape).
Pollak has become one of our favorite wineries, a place where we can count on both the reds and the whites to deliver for us on a regular basis. This bottle just makes me really excited for a taste of their 2010 viognier. You’ve got to love the optimism spring can bring.
March 24, 2011 at 9:01 am
I didn’t really pick up the zest, but then again I was having a bad week – feeling like garbage, achy, etc – and even wine wasn’t ringing my bell. I definitely got the soft stone fruit and honeysuckle along with an awesome mouthfeel. Pollak wines. Awesome.
March 24, 2011 at 9:05 am
Love their Viognier – unfortunately they were out of it when we were last there in February. Bring on the 2010!
March 24, 2011 at 10:05 pm
GEG, You probably have that bug that is waylaying half of Virginia!
Feel better fast!
Several times in the last few weeks when I click on my bookmark for your blog, I am sent to the index. Check your code!
March 25, 2011 at 1:16 pm
MEL- what do you mean by index? The main page? A site map? Can you give me the link?
March 26, 2011 at 5:23 pm
So now that we have snow on the way, are you happy being a jinx? 🙂
March 26, 2011 at 6:23 pm
I may be thinking spring, but I’m also enough of a skeptic that I’ve still got a snow shovel and ice melt on the porch
April 20, 2011 at 8:05 am
We made our semi-annual forage to Pollak this week. As usual, we had Casey pouring for us and the experience was wonderful. Casey has been with Pollak for a while and we always treasure her insight and frankness – so refreshing!!
We had the new 2010 whites (Viognier and Pinot Gris) as well as the Merlot and Mille Fleurs among others, but missed the Petit Verdot. We’ll catch the 2009 in the Fall. As always, we departed with several cases that should last us until next time!
The Mille Fleurs is a late harvest Viognier infused with Brandy and aged 24 months in oak – and they only produced 2 barrels. It’s nearly gone if you’re interested. The flavors are very complex, but super smooth on the finish. This production is VERY unique and wonderful. It’s also not priced for the casual wino – at $30 for a .375…but it’s great if you’re into that sorta thing…like me!!!