Gjallerhorn Viognier 2021

The 2021 Gjallerhorn Sowilo Viognier is about as anti-traditional a Viognier as I can remember. Made from later picked (late October) Yakima Valley fruit from Olsen vineyard, it was separated into 4 separate lots for fermentation, then aged in French oak for 19 months, half of which was new. This is more like Hermitage Blanc than typical Viognier. Unreal viscosity and depth, with candied orange peel, dried apricots, caramelized pineapple and unbelievably, Baskin and Robbins Pralines and Cream Ice Cream! This is one of those whites which is really hard to label, and really wants to be treated like a red, and consumed at cellar temp, not overly chilled. This is one of the most fascinating and discussion worthy whites I have ever tasted from this country. I just can’t put the glass down, as I keep finding more scrumptious aspects to it. Stunning stuff and again, only about 80 cases produced.