Joseph Phelps Vineyards: 2000 Viognier

Wines

Current Joseph Phelps Vintages
Current Freestone Vintages
Past Phelps Vintages
Library Wines

BLEND & GRAPE SOURCES:
100% Viognier from our Spring Valley ranch (77%) as well as from estate vineyards in Yountville (15%) and Carneros (8%).

WINEMAKING DATA:
Grapes were harvested at an average 24.8° Brix, with 60% of the blend barrel fermented
and given lees contact for six months; and 40% fermented in stainless steel tanks and barrel aged for six months in 3 and 4-year-old French oak. The wine was then blended and bottled in June, 2001.

HARVEST DATES:
Sept. 9 - Oct. 25, 2000

A warm, dry spring set a much larger crop than the previous year, and summer provided
near-ideal growing conditions without the temperature extremes experienced in the two previous years.

Harvest began in mid-September but cool weather beginning October 9th slowed the
harvest, and a significant amount of rainfall between October 25th and 30th affected fruit
quality (and quantity) in many vineyards. As a result, the best fruit came from vineyards harvested by early October, with highly selective picking implemented in those vineyards
picked later in the season.

Our Spring Valley ranch, where the majority of our Viognier is planted, is situated in a moderately warm pocket in the middle of the Napa Valley. Fruit from this vineyard was harvested well before the October cooling trend, and the resulting wine is fuller bodied than the previous year, with production doubled to 2000 cases.

Viognier is a delightful alternative to some of the more popular white varietals, and with its signature flavors of peach, honeysuckle and apricot, the wine is as versatile as it is delicious.