Edna Valley Viognier Varietal/Style: Viognier Origin: Edna Valley Vintage: 1998 Winemaker: John Alban Rating: 14/20 Retail Price: $28.00

Tasting Notes: Although an American Viognier is rarely described as "full-bodied," Alban's Edna Valley is one big wine. A perfumed nose of lychee and exotic spice precedes a weighty mouthfeel and fully developed fruit flavors. With a 14.5 percent alcohol content and full malolactic fermentation, this wine really packs a wallop. (Date tasted: 03/03/00)

Profile: When John Alban conceived his namesake winery, he did not take into consideration that most Americans hadn't heard of Rhône varietals. Thanks in a large part to Alban's efforts, Rhônes are grabbing front-row seats on the US wine palate. And with his first-rate quality and sense of style, Alban is at the forefront of the ever-increasing Rhône range. With a masters in enology, Alban is possibly more farmer than winemaker but he's one of the finest farmers in the Central Coast. He uses the San Luis Obispo area's climate and wide variety of soil types to their greatest advantage in producing world-class Viognier, Syrah and other Rhône variety-based wines. Lauded with competition medals both at home and abroad, Alban's are possibly the best examples of Rhône varietal wines produced in America.

Address:
8575 Orcutt Rd.
City: Arroyo Grande
Phone: 805-541-0130
Web site: n/a
E-mail: n/a