2023 Alban Vineyards Central Coast Viognier | San Luis Obispo County California 750 ml

Even among competing winemakers, Alban is the acknowledged Viognier master in California. | Steve Heimoff for Wine Enthusiast

The Central Coast bottling of Viognier from Alban arrives at your senses with a welcoming bouquet of honey tangerine oil, citrus zest and fresh macadamia nut. The aromatics repeat on the palate and remain at leisure with no rush to depart. There is a pleasant viscosity - an expectation with Viognier - rolling and lingering from fruit to florals and back again. The Central Coast rendition shows just a touch more edge and verve in comparison to the estate bottling; perhaps an effect of bringing this wine up in a combination of clay amphorae and stainless steel versus the oak employed on the Estate Viognier. All of that said, the Central Coast Viognier is a delicious mouthful. | falling bright