91 Points, Vinous 90 Points, Jef Dunnuck
A classic Jaffurs Viognier, from the cool-climate Bien Nacido Vineyard. Floral aromatics, with pineapple and mineral notes, this wine fleshes out on the palate with juicy nectarine and focused acidity. 60% stainless-steel aging provides vibrancy and tension, with the balance aged in neutral oak, lending texture and developed aromatics.
Specs
Vintage: 2017
Varietal: Viognier
Vineyard: Bien Nacido Vineyard
Appellation: Santa Maria Valley AVA
Harvest: August 24 - September 5
Sugar: 21.8 - 24.5 Brix
Ph: 3.25 - 3.5
Clone: Iberra Young Clone
Composition: 100% Viognier
Fermentation: Fruit was whole cluster pressed, cold settled and fermented in 75% stainless steel and 25% neutral French oak barrels. RHST, Assmanhausen and Prise de Mousse yeasts used.
Barrel Aging: 62% stainless steel, 38% neutral French oak for 6 months, on lees.
Cellar notes: Unfined and lightly filtered
Alcohol: 14.2%
Bottling Date: March 2, 2018
Production: 1265 cases
Included in the Box
4-bottles:
4x 2017 Jaffurs Viognier, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
Case:
12x 2017 Jaffurs Viognier, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
Jaffurs is dedicated to producing fine wine with a New World independence. For over two decades we have specialized in RhƓne style wines from the premier vineyards in Santa Barbara County. All wines are hand-crafted at our winery in downtown Santa Barbara, California.
Jaffurs Wine Cellars is dedicated to producing great Rhone varietal wines with a new-world independence. Our wines -Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc ā are among the best in the county. Founder Craig Jaffurs produced his first professional wines during the 1994 harvest. All of our wines are carefully made in small lots. Only about 5000 cases are produced each year ā production is limited. We work closely with our growers in the Santa Ynez, Ballard Canyon, Santa Rita, Los Alamos, and Santa Maria growing regions. We limit vineyard yields and require that optimal farming practices are observed. All of our wines are crushed, pressed, cellared and bottled in our Santa Barbara facility.
Jaffurs Wine Cellars owns no vineyards. We purchase premium wine grapes only from Santa Barbara County vineyards: Thompson (Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Mourvedre), Bien Nacido (Viognier, Syrah, Grenache), Larner (Syrah, Grenache), Kimsey (Syrah) and Stolpman (Grenache, Roussanne) vineyards.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2017 Jaffurs Wine Cellars Viognier - $44 = 25.28%
Vinous 91 Points
The 2017 Viognier Bien Nacido Vineyard offers lovely complexity and nuance, with a touch of neutral oak character that adds frames apricot and peach Viognier fruit. Layered, vivid and beautiful, the 2017 is gorgeous. Drink this refreshing Viognier over the next few years. Drink 2018-2022. ā Antonio Galloni
Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points
The 2017 Viognier Bien Nacido Vineyard was brought up a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak. It offers a ripe, sexy, Condrieu-like bouquet of orange marmalade, flower oil, and honeyed peach to go with a juicy, vibrant style on the palate. Viognier is always a rich, opulent variety, yet this wine pairs these elements with good acidity and a balanced, refreshing style. As with the Grenache Blanc, itās going to be incredibly versatile on the dinner table. Maturity 2018-2020. ā Jeb Dunnuck
Wine Enthusiast 89 Points
Clean aromas of pomelo and lychee meet with peach and dried sour pear on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. Tangy citrus and grapefruit flavors ride an energetic mouthfeel, with a long-lasting acid that takes a sour stretch into the finish. ā Matt Kettmann 2/1/19
Wine Spectator
Intensely fruity, with a mix of pear, mango and peach flavors and a hint of tomato leaf. Crisp and refreshing, with plenty of intensity on the juicy finish. Drink now. 1,100 cases made. ā MaryAnn Worobiec
Iām sorry Iām late. Iām normally more prepared but in my defense, I never got notice of when this wine (which arrived on the 1/17) would be offered.
The bottle arrived at my lab to the jealous eyes of my colleagues, which is always a fun way to end my Friday.
I took it home and let it rest in my wine fridge (50 degrees) overnight.
Upon opening, I got hit with bright floral notes, high acid, and very little alcohol. There were notes of granny smith, pineapple, and peach along with a chalky smell.
It has a clear bright straw color and grabs the glass nicely.
The first taste impression was moderate to high acid and a slight almost carbonated feeling on the tongue. I get a green apple, green pear, and pineapple on the tongue. It starts and finishes more on the sweet side than dry and the acid sticks around. Additionally, I do get a ālick a rockā mineral-rich finish.
Saturday nights dinner was sous vide airline chicken with sauteed asparagus and purple sweet potato mash. The pairing was refreshing but didnāt bring anything new to the profile.
Is it cliche to say summer drinker in the winter? This is a very nice Viognier, and trust me Iāve had very fewā¦
Thanks for the rattage! Would you say the wine has a fair amount of residual sugar, or just a sweet taste from the fruit notes? Iām nowhere close to an expert, but it would seem to me the wine would be dry or off dry based on brix and ABV?
Viognier
Oaked Viognier has a higher perfumed, aromatic quality and an oily texture that makes it taste slightly less acidic. Seek out foods with Moroccan or Tunisian spices (such as saffron, turmeric, ginger, paprika), root vegetables like carrot, yams and turnip, fruit (apricot and orange), and middle-weight, umami-focused proteins (including butter-poached shrimp or lobster, river fish, pork chops, etc).
So. Based on this above description (I didnāt author), if you like what you read - buy the case. You know you will ultimately drink all 12 bottles; plus, itās economical.
I wrote this because I wasnāt sure what this wine paired well with. We do not eat enough of the above cuisine to buy this - but that hasnāt stopped me before from buying the wine!
Woot.wine forever!! Who else has the anniversary shirt?!
Tasting Notes
91 Points, Vinous
90 Points, Jef Dunnuck
A classic Jaffurs Viognier, from the cool-climate Bien Nacido Vineyard. Floral aromatics, with pineapple and mineral notes, this wine fleshes out on the palate with juicy nectarine and focused acidity. 60% stainless-steel aging provides vibrancy and tension, with the balance aged in neutral oak, lending texture and developed aromatics.
Specs
Included in the Box
Price Comparison
$405.79 a case at Jaffurs Wine Cellars
About The Winery
Jaffurs Wine Cellars
Jaffurs is dedicated to producing fine wine with a New World independence. For over two decades we have specialized in RhƓne style wines from the premier vineyards in Santa Barbara County. All wines are hand-crafted at our winery in downtown Santa Barbara, California.
Jaffurs Wine Cellars is dedicated to producing great Rhone varietal wines with a new-world independence. Our wines -Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc ā are among the best in the county. Founder Craig Jaffurs produced his first professional wines during the 1994 harvest. All of our wines are carefully made in small lots. Only about 5000 cases are produced each year ā production is limited. We work closely with our growers in the Santa Ynez, Ballard Canyon, Santa Rita, Los Alamos, and Santa Maria growing regions. We limit vineyard yields and require that optimal farming practices are observed. All of our wines are crushed, pressed, cellared and bottled in our Santa Barbara facility.
Jaffurs Wine Cellars owns no vineyards. We purchase premium wine grapes only from Santa Barbara County vineyards: Thompson (Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Mourvedre), Bien Nacido (Viognier, Syrah, Grenache), Larner (Syrah, Grenache), Kimsey (Syrah) and Stolpman (Grenache, Roussanne) vineyards.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, February 13th - Monday, February 17th
Jaffurs Wine Cellars Viognier
4 bottles for $57.99 $14.50/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $129.99 $10.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2017 Jaffurs Wine Cellars Viognier
Ooo yay! One of my favorite varietals. Iām generally a big fan of huge reds; however, I found this white varietal quite pleasant
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2017 Jaffurs Wine Cellars Viognier - $44 = 25.28%
Hope we get some rats on thisā¦looks really interesting! The 7 reviews on CellarTracker are all from the same person.
@TimW rat hereā¦ Iāll do my write up later this morning.
@jml326 @TimW Go Rat Go
@TimW @woopdedoo see below.
Verbiage from the pros:
Vinous 91 Points
The 2017 Viognier Bien Nacido Vineyard offers lovely complexity and nuance, with a touch of neutral oak character that adds frames apricot and peach Viognier fruit. Layered, vivid and beautiful, the 2017 is gorgeous. Drink this refreshing Viognier over the next few years. Drink 2018-2022. ā Antonio Galloni
Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points
The 2017 Viognier Bien Nacido Vineyard was brought up a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak. It offers a ripe, sexy, Condrieu-like bouquet of orange marmalade, flower oil, and honeyed peach to go with a juicy, vibrant style on the palate. Viognier is always a rich, opulent variety, yet this wine pairs these elements with good acidity and a balanced, refreshing style. As with the Grenache Blanc, itās going to be incredibly versatile on the dinner table. Maturity 2018-2020. ā Jeb Dunnuck
Wine Enthusiast 89 Points
Clean aromas of pomelo and lychee meet with peach and dried sour pear on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. Tangy citrus and grapefruit flavors ride an energetic mouthfeel, with a long-lasting acid that takes a sour stretch into the finish. ā Matt Kettmann 2/1/19
Wine Spectator
Intensely fruity, with a mix of pear, mango and peach flavors and a hint of tomato leaf. Crisp and refreshing, with plenty of intensity on the juicy finish. Drink now. 1,100 cases made. ā MaryAnn Worobiec
fwiw
@kaolis Thanks!
@kaolis
Well, if Jeb says itās sexy!
@knlprez
verĀ·biĀ·age
/ĖvÉrbÄij/
ha!
@kaolis haha!
Iām sorry Iām late. Iām normally more prepared but in my defense, I never got notice of when this wine (which arrived on the 1/17) would be offered.
The bottle arrived at my lab to the jealous eyes of my colleagues, which is always a fun way to end my Friday.
I took it home and let it rest in my wine fridge (50 degrees) overnight.
Upon opening, I got hit with bright floral notes, high acid, and very little alcohol. There were notes of granny smith, pineapple, and peach along with a chalky smell.
It has a clear bright straw color and grabs the glass nicely.
The first taste impression was moderate to high acid and a slight almost carbonated feeling on the tongue. I get a green apple, green pear, and pineapple on the tongue. It starts and finishes more on the sweet side than dry and the acid sticks around. Additionally, I do get a ālick a rockā mineral-rich finish.
Saturday nights dinner was sous vide airline chicken with sauteed asparagus and purple sweet potato mash. The pairing was refreshing but didnāt bring anything new to the profile.
Is it cliche to say summer drinker in the winter? This is a very nice Viognier, and trust me Iāve had very fewā¦
@jml326
Thanks for the rattage! Would you say the wine has a fair amount of residual sugar, or just a sweet taste from the fruit notes? Iām nowhere close to an expert, but it would seem to me the wine would be dry or off dry based on brix and ABV?
@knlprez for me is sweet because of its notes not because of sugar.
@jml326 any toasty or oaky flavors?
@CruelMelody nothing that stood out for me
Good get, WD!
@CorTot Have you tried it?
@PatrickKarcher nope, just really like the winery.
https://winefolly.com/review/differences-between-chardonnay-and-viognier/
Viognier
Oaked Viognier has a higher perfumed, aromatic quality and an oily texture that makes it taste slightly less acidic. Seek out foods with Moroccan or Tunisian spices (such as saffron, turmeric, ginger, paprika), root vegetables like carrot, yams and turnip, fruit (apricot and orange), and middle-weight, umami-focused proteins (including butter-poached shrimp or lobster, river fish, pork chops, etc).
So. Based on this above description (I didnāt author), if you like what you read - buy the case. You know you will ultimately drink all 12 bottles; plus, itās economical.
I wrote this because I wasnāt sure what this wine paired well with. We do not eat enough of the above cuisine to buy this - but that hasnāt stopped me before from buying the wine!
Woot.wine forever!! Who else has the anniversary shirt?!
In for a case. Though not a big white wine drinker, I enjoy a good Viognier.
/giphy subdued-enlightened-flamingo
In for a case. Willing to split with anyone in Denver metro
As good as many viogniers from the Rhone!