Our First Review

It's been a hot day in California.  We ran our errands, picked out the fixings for our Sunday evening meal (we're going to have Falafel, hummus, and tabouli salad) and then James turned on the Cubs game.  As I sit up in this office where the heat gets worse in the evening, I'm happy that I opened up our first bottle for review.  It's the 2008 Smoking Loon California Viognier from Don Sebastiani & Sons.  What a relief!  This is a very refreshing, very suitable for Summer kind of wine - usually priced for under $9.  You can easily find this at your local Trader Joe's and other supermarket locations.
This varietal usually pleases me and I've had more expensive Viogniers. This specific bottle surpasses my expectations for the price.  It has a lovely, but not overwhelming kind of floral aroma, and tastes fruity and spicy at the same time.  Since it's aged in French Oak, I appreciate the depth of flavor. Also, with it's sweet characteristics, I think this would be a great wine to pair with spicy foods, although I think it really stands on it's own as well.
I served it very chilled which works wonderfully on a hot day like today.
Here's a link so you can see how Sebastiani & Sons describe this very affordable, tasty wine.
http://www.donandsons.com/ourwine/smokingloon/viognier.php

Go get a bottle, have fun and enjoy!