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Congress Springs is one of the old guard wineries in California. Their first vintage was in 1976. Congress Springs gradually became a respected and sought-after brand, achieving limited national distribution as the 70s gave way to the 80s. Their knowledge of wine and grape growing grew, and their zeal to make fine wines was unquenchable. Their 1985 Chardonnay became the most awarded wine in the United States with five Gold Medals, numerous Silver Medansl, and many other awards. Their limited production of old vine Zinfandel grown on the property was hailed as one of the great Zinfandels of California. At the time, they were located in the little known appellation of the Santa Cruz Mountains. They successfully revived an old Cabernet Franc vineyard and made a Pinot Blanc which, at its best, rivaled the finest Chardonnay. Their first Pinot Noir in 1978, was a Wine Spectator selection at the close of the decade. Their goals and standards today are the same ones that earned them accolades three decades ago. Their enthusiasm and commitment are undiminished. Indeed, the best is yet to come. Unlike the internationally favored grapes such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier as a varietal only emerged from relative obscurity in the past twenty years. Cognoscenti knew it as a blending component for Syrah in the Rhone Valley's Cote Rotie and, almost more obscurely, as a stand-alone in the tiny, northern Rhone appellation of Condrieu. Now grown on limited acreage in California and elsewhere, Viognier has come to occupy a small but important niche in the greater world of wine. This selection from the Lodi appellation has a lovely, pale green-straw color befitting its youthful age. This is a wine best consumed in the flower of its youth. The aroma suggests flowers, honey clover, and Chinese lychee. The fruit flavors are woven of ripe apple, pineapple, and a hint of tangerine. The palate is nicely round and supple with a finish of clean acidity. This refreshingly quaffable white wine should be consumed over the coming year. December 2009 Vintners Series Newsletter (.pdf)
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