2023 Late Harvest Viognier

TASTING NOTES
The 2023 Late Harvest Viognier from the Brick Barn estate offers a captivating array of honeyed aromas, featuring citrus, nectarine, and delicate orange blossom. The wine’s smooth, viscous texture is enriched with luscious flavors of ripe pear, golden apple, and soft stone fruits, complemented by a subtle touch of spice. A lingering yet balanced sweetness carries through the finish, beautifully framed by vibrant acidity that maintains the wine’s elegance and structure. This Late Harvest Viognier exemplifies the perfect harmony of rich fruit character and refined balance.

FOOD PAIRINGS
The 2023 Late Harvest Viognier pairs elegantly with both savory and sweet dishes, including:
*Blue cheese like Roquefort or Gorgonzola, whose saltiness contrasts with the wine’s sweetness
*Triple cream cheeses such as Brie or Camembert to enhance the wine’s smooth texture
*Apricot tart, whose stone fruit flavors align beautifully with the wine’s own fruity notes
*Peach cobbler, a wonderful match that mirrors the wine’s subtle sweetness
*Poached pears, especially when spiced with cinnamon or cardamom, complementing the wine’s complexity
*Rich dishes like foie gras or pâté, where the bold sweetness of the wine provides a luxurious pairing

WINEMAKING
Crafted by Winemaker Adrian Bolshoi, the 2023 Late Harvest Viognier was produced using carefully selected rows from the Brick Barn estate vineyard. The grapes were left to ripen on the vine until November 8, achieving an average sweetness of 36 Brix. After hand harvesting, the juice was gently pressed, settled, and cold fermented in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation was intentionally arrested at 10 Brix to preserve the natural sweetness while maintaining the wine's refreshing acidity. The wine was aged for 8 months in stainless steel to ensure full maturation and integration of flavors, resulting in a beautifully balanced late-harvest wine.