At a glance

Producer

Whetstone Cellars

Region

Sonoma County, California, USA

Grape variety

Viognier

Wine type

White

Body

Medium-bodied and Fruity

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$28-35 USD

Tasting profile

Apricot, honeysuckle, ripe peach, subtle floral notes, soft acidity, round medium body.

Evolution: Fruity/floral notes will give way to more honeyed, stone-fruit, waxy notes; potential for mild nut and spice if further matured.

At peak: Bright, aromatic, lush fruit and floral complexity at peak. Now may show more mellow, honeyed tones.

Structure

Acidity

Moderate

Tannins

None (white wine)

Alcohol

Medium (~13.5%)

Aging potential

Low to Moderate (3-5 years best; drink soon for optimum freshness)

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2020 to 2022

Optimal window

2019 to 2023

Current status

Approaching end of optimal window, fresh if well stored

Current condition

Mature, likely still aromatic but will decline soon

Viognier is prized for its aromatic profile, best enjoyed fresh. 2018 is now past its observable peak window but offers evolved, mellow fruit with soft acid structure. Will not improve with further aging.

Food pairing

Moroccan chicken with apricots, Thai lemongrass curry, grilled peaches, creamy cheeses, lobster with mild butter sauces.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Producer practices some sustainable farming; integrates water conservation, cover cropping and reasonable chemical minimization. No 100% organic or biodynamic certification. Packaging is standard light-weight glass, no stated eco-pack initiative. Uses regionally sourced fruit.

Whetstone Cellars is a boutique Sonoma producer with basic environmental stewardship, typical of small California wineries not carrying formal certifications. Vineyard practices such as cover crops and water efficiency are in use, but not at the rigor of certified sustainable, organic or biodynamic programs. Transportation footprint is moderate within the US, and higher when exported. Lacks formal documentation of full lifecycle carbon impact, but outperforms large commercial mass-producers on pesticide/herbicide use and habitat preservation. Improvement possible with eco-packaging, renewable energy, and formal certification.