Tasting- Wild Thing Viognier

 

Name: Carol Shelton Wild Thing Central Coast Viognier 2022

Variety: 84% Viognier, 11% Roussanne. 5% Marsanne 

Region: Sonoma County, California

Country: United States

Year: 2022

Price: $25.95

Wine Review: "Supple and plum with fruit, this Viognier offers cantaloupe, honeysuckle, and spice flavors that finish with a rich oily texture" (Wine spectator) -- 93

Wine Folly: Page 186 in Wine folly describes this wine as having an abundance of fruity flavors such as tangerine, peach, mango, honeysuckle and even floral hints such as rose. I could not pick up all these flavors however, especially the more citrus-y flavorings. However, the floral scent and after taste was not lost on me, nor was the lighter fruits such as peach which gave it a nice light taste. Interestingly, according to page 290, the central coast of CA which is where this wine came from is noteworthy for its Chardonnay, Pinot noir, and Syrah, but does not mention Viognier whatsoever. It seems as though instead, the north coast which is known for its cooler overall climate is more situated for white wines in general, but this one seems to be an exception and makes me wonder if more Viognier and white wine varieties will start coming from Central coast California in the future.

My Review: I rather enjoyed this wine. I still have yet to find a white that can top Chardonnay for me, but I certainly liked this more than the Sauvignon Blanc I had tried in the past and makes me excited to try more whites in the future. I particularly enjoyed the light flavorings with refreshing fruits such a the peach mentioned. I also felt like I detected a latent melon flavor along with some delicate spice that that aided in creating a refreshing and comfortable mouthfeel. I am excited to try more Viogniers, especially since this one comes from a region not typically associated with Viogniers. I can only wonder if the regions more traditionally associated with this varietal translates to a better flavor, and so I will certainly be trying the different regions soon.

This was not tasted with any food.