Viognier
Viognier is a fragrant, powerful white grape grown in Languedoc-Roussillon and the Rhône Valley of France. It is the only grape allowed in Condrieu; elsewhere in the Rhône it is typically blended with other white grapes such as Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Rolle (or Vermentino), or blended as a small percentage into Côte Rôtie. It is also grown in other countries including Australia and the United States. Viognier is well-known for producing wines with distinct floral aromas and assertive stone fruit flavors. You can use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide to find the top-rated Viognier among our extensive Viognier wine reviews and easy-to-use database. Our Viognier reviews will give you a general idea what to expect from wines made from Viognier, and will help you find one that best suits your needs.
Failla 2007 Alban Vineyard Viognier (Edna Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $35
Hardly anybody gets fruit from the coveted Alban Vineyard, but Ehren Jordan does, and he’s done a great job at crafting this dry, minerally wine. It shows Viognier’s lush, exotic character in the fruit stand array of pineapples, peaches and mangoes, with white flower and mineral notes offset by wonderfully clean, crisp acidity. Superb.
— S.H.
(8/1/2009)
Fess Parker 2007 Viognier (Santa Barbara County)
- Online Exclusive
- $24
A very fine Viognier, one of the best of the vintage, that takes the variety’s exotic, sometimes over-the-top richness and controls it with crisp coastal acidity and a deft touch of minerals. Elegant and interesting, it displays utterly dry flavors of Meyer lemon, lime, fig, date, honeysuckle, vanilla, spice and flint flavors. Drink now for freshness.
— S.H.
(9/1/2009)
Novy 2008 Oley Sweet Viognier (Russian River Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $14
A joy to drink. It’s so sweet and unctuous in honeyed apricots, citrus fruits, sautéed bananas, vanilla custard and spices, and yet so balanced with racy acidity. You could almost drink the entire bottle with some vanilla cookies, or better yet, a banana cream pie.
— S.H.
(12/15/2009)
E. Guigal 2007 La Doriane Viognier (Condrieu)
- Online Exclusive
- $100
Guigal's luxury cuvée from Condrieu is a blend of vineyards, all vinified and agfed for eight months in new oak. The result is a big, spicy, rich wine, graced with smoky nuances but built on concentrated honey and apricots. It's long and powerful on the finish, ending with impressive spice. Drink now-2015.
— J.C.
(4/1/2010)
Novelty Hill 2007 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Viognier (Columbia Valley (WA))
- Editors' Choice
- Online Exclusive
- $20
This is clearly one of the finest Viogniers in the state, succulent and creamy, taking the varietal flavors of peach and pear and adding streaks of vanilla and caramel—not overdone, just hints that add richness to the flavors and roundness in the mouth.
— P.G.
(12/1/2009)
Novy 2009 Oley Sweet Viognier (Russian River Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $20
Super sweet, with vanilla honey, apricot preserves, tangerine tart and vanilla cream flavors. What’s not to like? Best of all is crisp, tart acidity, like a squeeze of lemon, that brightens and heightens the richness and makes it finish clean.
— S.H.
(9/1/2010)
E. Guigal 2008 La Doriane Viognier (Condrieu)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $100
Guigal’s luxury cuvée from Condrieu is a great success in 2008, marrying richness and power with hints of honeysuckle, toasted nuts and apricot. It’s full bodied, creamy in texture and tremendously long on the finish. Drink now–2016, and possibly beyond.
— J.C.
(10/1/2011)
Freemark Abbey 2009 Viognier (Napa Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- Online Exclusive
- $27
A brilliant Viognier that preserves the variety’s exotic richness, while framing it with balance and subtlety, no easy task. Impresses for its array of pineapple crême brulée, Key lime pie, golden mango and green apple opulence, yet is crisp and zesty in acidity, and there’s a bracing minerality. The grapes come from an unusual combination of Rutherford, which…
— S.H.
(11/1/2010)
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