2021 Peay Viognier West Sonoma Coast

The 2021 Viognier is absolutely gorgeous. There’s a bit more mid-palate creaminess and depth in this vintage, and that works beautifully in softening some of the edges that have been present in the past. Orchard fruit, ginger, mint, spice and apricot all grace this layered, super-expressive Viognier from Peay.

An atypical Viognier for its bright and zippy nature, the 2021 Viognier West Sonoma Coast was raised in neutral barrels and pours a bright straw hue. Fresh aromas of savory fresh herbs, kumquat, white peach, and citrus blossom are followed by a medium-bodied white that’s vibrant with energy, revealing notes of crunchy fruit and salty earth, with a great finish. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. Peay was founded by brothers Andy and Nick Peay in the remote coastal region of Annapolis, where they found a unique break in the coastal range that cools and moderates the temperatures. They initially planted the first 30 acres in 1998, followed by another 17 acres in 2001, and six acres in 2007. 2001 was their first vintage, producing varietal wines dedicated to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Viognier from volcanic and nutrient-poor marine soils of silty loam with low clay content. Winemaker Vanessa Wong had previously been at Chateau Lafite-Rothschild in Bordeaux, Domaine Jean Gros in Burgundy, and with Peter Michael prior to joining Peay in 2000. The estate has been certified organic for the past eight years. Peay was one of the original five wineries who joined forces to create what is now the West Sonoma Coast Vintners Association. At Peay, the whites all undergo native fermentations and are unfined and unfiltered. The reds do not follow a recipe regarding oak and stem inclusion, but the philosophy is to highlight the purity and intrinsic character of the wines and not obscure it. Named after the natural features of the property, they are highly expressive and singular wines that reflect their cool climate and mountainous terrain origins with distinctive notes of sous bois and age-worthy structure.

The 2021 Estate Viognier is bright and delicate on the nose with wafts of stone fruit pit, almonds, biscuit and floral perfume. The light-bodied palate is tangy and refreshing, with a gently creamy texture and energetic finish. It's a restrained style of Viognier that will work well at the table over the next 2-3 years.