While he has become known for his insanely delicious Petite Sirahs from Paso Robles, winemaker Aaron Jackson has recently expanded his portfolio and added some new flavors! AEQUOREA - which means "of the sea" in Latin - is focused on single vineyard wines from extreme coastal vineyards amidst San Luis Obispo County.
Making Viognier is a welcomed-challenge for Aaron, in that he aims for a style so much different than what is typically produced in California. When grown on the cool, foggy extremities of the coast, Viognier becomes a far different animal than the flabby, over-the-top versions typically produced in California. At only 2 miles from the ocean in Pismo Beach, Spanish Springs is on the edge of where Viognier can be reliably grown, and here we can make a wine that is shockingly mineral and fresh, more bright than ripe, and bursting with natural acidity. In many ways, it’s the anti-Viognier, yet totally true to the varietal. We find it to be akin more to Sauvignon Blanc than your traditional Viognier.
Effusively aromatic but not at all heavy like most Viognier, it bursts forth with a bright, vibrant, floral personality that is unlike any Viognier you’ve ever tasted. White flowers, citrus, unripe pineapple, and minerals dominate the aromas, while the palate is distinctively atypical for Viognier. A lemony freshness with notes of pomelo, barely ripe white nectarine, sweet white grapefruit, and pineapple core, braced by tremendously fresh acidity and super mineral finish.
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The 2023 Viognier Spanish Springs Vineyard sports a distinctively floral nose of chamomile, jasmine, lilies, orchard and citrus fruit aromas—a rare combination for this variety. The palate combines a medium-bodied richness with fantastic cut, clarity and zestiness without feeling thin or forced into a more slender frame. The finish displays a wonderfully tensile agility that redefines the grape's capabilities. A singular expression and something of a signature wine for Aequorea, I look forward to following this wine's aging curve over the next decade."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 91 POINTS - "The 2023 Viognier Spanish Springs Vineyard is spicy, with a savory blend of lime-tinged apples, chalk dust and sage. It's soothingly round, with a bump of inner sweetness offset by saline minerals and citrus-infused orchard fruits. This finishes with tremendous length and concentration yet remains incredibly fresh, closing with hints of kiwi and sour melon. Lovely."
Making Viognier is a welcomed-challenge for Aaron, in that he aims for a style so much different than what is typically produced in California. When grown on the cool, foggy extremities of the coast, Viognier becomes a far different animal than the flabby, over-the-top versions typically produced in California. At only 2 miles from the ocean in Pismo Beach, Spanish Springs is on the edge of where Viognier can be reliably grown, and here we can make a wine that is shockingly mineral and fresh, more bright than ripe, and bursting with natural acidity. In many ways, it’s the anti-Viognier, yet totally true to the varietal. We find it to be akin more to Sauvignon Blanc than your traditional Viognier.
Effusively aromatic but not at all heavy like most Viognier, it bursts forth with a bright, vibrant, floral personality that is unlike any Viognier you’ve ever tasted. White flowers, citrus, unripe pineapple, and minerals dominate the aromas, while the palate is distinctively atypical for Viognier. A lemony freshness with notes of pomelo, barely ripe white nectarine, sweet white grapefruit, and pineapple core, braced by tremendously fresh acidity and super mineral finish.
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The 2023 Viognier Spanish Springs Vineyard sports a distinctively floral nose of chamomile, jasmine, lilies, orchard and citrus fruit aromas—a rare combination for this variety. The palate combines a medium-bodied richness with fantastic cut, clarity and zestiness without feeling thin or forced into a more slender frame. The finish displays a wonderfully tensile agility that redefines the grape's capabilities. A singular expression and something of a signature wine for Aequorea, I look forward to following this wine's aging curve over the next decade."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 91 POINTS - "The 2023 Viognier Spanish Springs Vineyard is spicy, with a savory blend of lime-tinged apples, chalk dust and sage. It's soothingly round, with a bump of inner sweetness offset by saline minerals and citrus-infused orchard fruits. This finishes with tremendous length and concentration yet remains incredibly fresh, closing with hints of kiwi and sour melon. Lovely."
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