Vallegarcía Viognier 2023

Pago de Vallegarcía makes this varietal Viognier in the Montes de Toledo of central Spain, under VT Castilla, from vineyards planted at 850 metres near the Cabañeros national park. The altitude is central to the wine: cool mountain nights offset warm days, and this wide temperature swing lets Viognier ripen to full stone fruit while keeping the acidity and perfume the grape can easily lose in the heat. Winemaking begins with a cool pre-fermentation maceration of the must at 8 degrees to draw out aromatics, after which around 80 percent ferments in tank at 15 degrees and the rest in barrel. The wine then spends six months on its lees in barrel and a further month in bottle. The lees contact releases compounds that broaden the texture and add a savoury depth, while the small barrel portion lends a subtle framing without heavy oak. The colour is bright gold. The nose is aromatic, with white flowers, chamomile, apricot and white peach over honey and a touch of ginger. The palate is full and rounded, with ripe stone fruit, a fresh line of acidity and a long, gently spiced finish. Serve at 11 to 12 degrees.