No wine picks up on the mood of the blooming season likeViognier. Shamelessly floral and aromatic, with honey and tangerineflavors, the best versions also have a hit of crisp acid. The whitegrape is traditionally grown in France’s Rhône Valley, butmore winemakers in the West ― in places from Washington toCalifornia’s Central Coast ― are bottling it now. Here aresome of our new favorites ― all 2004 vintages except theGriffin Creek, a 2003.
Freemark Abbey (Rutherford, CA; $25)
Griffin Creek (Rogue Valley, OR; $25)
McDowell Valley Vineyards (Mendocino County; $16)
Stags’ Leap Winery (Napa Valley; $25)
Turnbull Wine Cellars (Oakville, CA; $30)
Waterbrook Winery (Columbia Valley, WA; $17)