Chateau Leidigh
2007 Viognier, Estate(El Dorado County)
In my book, Viognier, varietally speaking, should deliver some compelling aromatics and the pretense of sweetness, even if fermented dry. This one does it for me, big time!
Though bone dry, the sense of immediate sweetness resides in the palate encasing body, bordering on glycerol, probably a function of the 14.3% alcohol. On the aromatics side, Viognier can catch my attention across a fairly broad spectrum of scents. This one isn’t the roses on Mother’s Day stuff, but more of a lilies on Easter whiff. More somber, ambiguous and complex. Yes, the expected Viognier apricots are here, for sure, but not the squeeze mushy pulp through your fingers in the orchard version…more the Grandma’s compote sniff. A reflective wine…a memory searcher and slow sipper…one has to sip it slow, ‘cause Mr. Leidigh doesn’t produce enough to get a second shot.
Reviewed October 20, 2008 by Roger Dial.
Other Awards & Accolades
Editor's Recommendation by Roger Dial, Appellation America
The Wine
Winery: Chateau Leidigh |
The ReviewerUnder various hats (winegrower/maker/negotiant/writer) Roger Dial has been tasting wine professionally for 40 years. He regards varietal and regional diversity as the best virtues of wine, and is ever-suspicious of the quest (by producers and critics, alike) for “universal greatness”. His tasting regime is simple: Is the wine technically sound? Is it interesting? Warning: he’s a sucker for all aromatic varieties. |