2013 Thumbprint Cellars Viognier

3g

Every time we travel to Sonoma or Napa Valley we try to find a new winery to experience.  Our recent to travel to Sonoma we spent the first part of the day at Verite for what they called Vintage Verite.  We had the opportunity to try the 2004 Verite wines.  Due to a warm and dry summer they had 90 tons of fruit brought in that morning (a week ahead of schedule).  We were able to see them use the optical destemer crusher at the facility. The machine was able to de-stem and crush around 10 tons per hour.  It was pretty cool to see it in operation.  After the event was over we had most of the afternoon to ourselves.  Driving over to Napa was not an option so we drove into Healdsburg to walk around.

From the Healdsburg website:

Healdsburg, a town renowned for its eclectic offering of all the finest things in life… food, wine, friends and fun.  The charm and genuine down to earth personality of the town are inescapable—from the sounds of jazz and laughter at every town square event, to the enticing aromas of five-star cuisine tempting you at every turn, to the country roads winding through rolling hills of world-acclaimed wine growing appellations, Healdsburg is the belle of the trendy wine country ball who prefers to be out in the vineyards sampling zinfandel on the vine.

Plaza photographed by Kim Carroll http://kimcarroll.photoshelter.com/

Take a stroll around Healdsburg and discover the treasures and treats of small town individuality that make Healdsburg so special.  World class shopping, renowned art and sculpture, organic locally grown produce and artisanal breads, wines and cheeses, intimate bed and breakfasts, independent bookstores, treasure troves of antiqueing and so much more.

Healdsburg is surrounded by several of Northern California’s finest regional wine appellations, including Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley. Centrally located to over 100 world-class wineries and tasting rooms, Healdsburg is the ideal place to discover all the best that Sonoma County wine country has to offer.

Explore beyond the central downtown Plaza and you’ll find incredible hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, redwoods, rowboats and hot air balloons for aerial views of it all.

The town of Healdsburg is filled with small shops, restaurants, and of course tasting rooms.  We came across Thumbprint Cellars and decided to walk in.  There was a sign outside saying they were pouring their “Newly Released” Cabernet Sauvignon.  We were greeted by Caitlyn who poured us numerous wines.  We sampled many reds and whites and at the end of the tasting we purchased a couple of bottles to take home.

thumbprint
We were hoping to try the Merlot but the new vintage was not to be released for a few more weeks.  So I guess we’ll try it on another trip.

IMG_1091The thumb print is the wine makers.

Sight
Pale color depth with a straw hue.

IMG_1095 IMG_1096

Smell
The Viognier was very aromatic, development was young-fruity with aromas of tropical fruit, melon, pears.

Taste
Dry, medium-bodied with balanced acidity.  No tannins.  Slightly harsh initial mouth feel with a soft finish.  Chris did not feel the initial harsh mouth feel.  The finish was long.

abv: 14.5%

How much: $36.00

Region/Appellation:  Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley.  J&B Schmidt Vineyard.

I rated the 2013 Thumbprint Cellars Viognier three glasses.  Serve the Viognier with something spicy.

Life is too short to drink crappy wine.  Expand your palate and keep try.

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