Fess Parker Viognier – Santa Barbara County

This week I’m looking at some good wines to spice up your Valentine’s Day and to me Viognier is one of the sexiest white wines you can find.  It’s known for having very perfumed aromas, like a bouquet of flowers.  It’s also fairly delicate on the palate—not an overpowering wine—and sometimes has a slightly oily quality to the wine. Oh… and it’s pronounced vee-ohn-yay.

Viognier goes great with spicy foods, like Thai curries.  So, if you’re date wants some spicy Asian food, this may be the wine to pick.  It also goes well with fish, shellfish, light cheeses and vegetables.  I enjoyed it with tilapia and spinach with a little lemon, wine and garlic.

Those from my generation or older may recognize the name on this particular Viognier, Fess Parker, as the actor who played both Danial Boon and Davey Crockett.  This caused a lot of confusion for me as a child, as for years I thought Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett were one in the same.  By now I’ve gotten over that confusion and gained an appreciation for the wines he has gone on to produce.  Parker started producing wine in 1989, with just a few acres, but now has nearly 700 acres of vineyards in Santa Barbara County, California.  He does give a nod to his coon-skin-capped heritage with a small cap icon on the label.

This wine has everything I expect from a Viognier and it’s put together quite well.  The nose is exceptionally floral, with a bit of oiliness, honey and alcohol.  On the palate it has outstanding apricot flavors, subtle pineapple and a malolactic butteriness.  All told, this I found this to be a very enjoyable Viognier.

At $18.00, this wine may be a little bit more than you typically spend, but it’s a very good wine.  And for a special occasion, like Valentine’s Day, I’d say it’s worth the trade up.

Wine: Fess Parker
Varietal: Viognier
Vintage: 2006
Alcohol: 14.9%
Rating: 90
Price: $18.00