Synopsis, Our Opinion: A disappointing Viognier.
Producer/Winery: Jean-Pierre Monier; Domaine Monier Perréol; Saint St-Désirat, France.
Grape Variety: Viognier.
Geographic Appellation,, Region, Country: Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes; Rhône Valley, France.
Vintage: 2015
Price: Gift ($35.00 Estimate)
Purchased From: The Caviste Wine Shop; Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Paired With: Garden salad with mango and chopped nuts.
Tasting:
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Chilled before drinking. Clear, dark oat straw color. Dominant ripe apple aroma with hints of apricot, honeysuckle blossoms, raisins and fresh cut evergreens. Very smooth, off-dry mouthfeel, medium to heavy body and a 200-grit texture. Dominant ripe apple flavor, but also clearly identifiable apricot, orange and Bartlett pear. Soft acidity and a long finish that still carried the over-ripe apple taste. This was nothing like any Viognier we have ever had!!! It had characteristics of Viognier, but the heaviness and ripe apple taste clouded rich flavors and freshness we expected. Although it was palatable paired with the salad, it fell short sipping without food. We called it a disappointing Viognier.
Note: We have had several of Jean-Pierre Monier’s wines and they were all OUTSTANDING. Two were included in our Best Value Wines of the Year (See 2018 and 2016). We’ll try another bottle of his Viognier and if it’s different will do another review.
Photo from Kermit Lynch.
Alcohol Content: 12.7%
Closure: 45mm Natural cork.
UPC Code: 7 61503 63319 4
Imported by: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant; Berkeley, California.