2010 Saddleback Cellars Clarksburg Viognier

About This Wine

It happened in 1988, and it had never happened before.

Influential wine critic Robert Parker bestowed a perfect 100-point score on a California wine for the very first time. The wine was the 1985 Groth Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, and the man who made it was Nils Venge. Ever since, he has been known as the “King of Cab.”

These days, Venge spends most of his time crafting wines for his own Saddleback Cellars winery, which is located in the Oakville district of the Napa Valley. His goal with each vintage is to make the best wines possible — whether they’re from a single vineyard, a single appellation, or a blend of appellations.

Fruit for the 2010 Saddleback Viognier came from the Baranek Family Vineyard in Clarksburg, Calif. The wine’s floral and fruitful aroma lures one to a viscous mouthfeel and a long, pleasing after-flavor. It’s a wonderful sipping wine, or pair it with lighter fare.

About Viognier

Rare grape of France's Rhone valley. Produces a floral, full-bodied spicy wine. Yields vary widely and it's hard to grow in other places.

Tasting Notes

• Grape Composition:100% Viognier
• Grape Source:Baranek Family Vineyard in Clarksburg, California
• Aromas & Flavors:White Peach, Nectarine, Jasmine Petals, Honeysuckle and Assorted Tropical Fruit
• Aging Vessels:French Oak Barrels (Fourth- and Fifth-Use) for 5 Months
• When to Drink:Now Through 2014
• Food Pairing Suggestiondried fruit, cheese, or quail.

Member Ratings

Recipes

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  Herb Crusted Tuna Steaks This recipe is extremely versatile, matching well with most white and lighter red wines. It makes 4 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Fettuccine Alfredo Try this recipe - a flavorful change of pace from the typical Alfredo sauce - with Pietra Santa's "Sasso Bianco," or any other medium-bodied to full-flavored white wine. It serves 6 to 8... Get The Recipe
  

  Tuscan Style Roasted Game Hens If you're looking for a change from turkey or ham this holiday season, try this easy-to-prepare dish that matches well with both white and red wines. It serves 6... Get The Recipe
  

  Asparagus & Morel Salad Summertime is salad time, and any of your favorite white wines would be great matches for this recipe, courtesy of Masa's restaurant in San Francisco. It serves 4. Get The Recipe
  

  Glazed Lemon Cookies Desserts can be challenging to match with wines, but when the overriding flavor of the treat is lemon, the possibilities multiply. Try these cookies (this recipe yields about 38 cookies) with Viognier, off-dry Chenin Blanc, Gruner Veltliner or Riesling... Get The Recipe
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  Lemony Lamb Chops Here's a versatile dish that matches well with red Bordeaux or Merlot, yet also can be enjoyed with white wines because of its lemon-flavored sauce. It makes 4 servings... Get The Recipe
  

  Smoked Salmon Penne Pasta In a world of "anything goes" food-and-wine pairing, we're always on the lookout for recipes that match well with either white or red wines. This is one such recipe, and it makes two servings... Get The Recipe
  

  Shrimp & Peppers Over Fettucine A delicious spring entree. Shrimp and Peppers over Fettuccine. This recipe makes 2 servings, and is best enjoyed with a glass of white wine... Get The Recipe