2023 Héroe Viognier
This 2023 Héroe Viognier is an astounding wine, incredibly vibrant in taste and mouthfeel, harmonious with fruity flavors ending in savory and juicy notes. The palate is viscous and bright at the same time. It contains an array of stone fruit flavors, including apricot, nectarine, peach, plum, and even kiwi. This is a prime example of Paso Robles Viognier done right! The wine starts out crisp and fresh, then quickly evolves into fruit flavors with an almost sweet aftertaste. The wine is best enjoyed within the next 3 years and will reach its peak by the end of 2025.
2023 Héroe Viognier is an incredible wine! The blending of three Paso Robles Viognier Vineyards showcases several different remarkable flavors and flavor profiles.
All fruit was harvested at night and taken straight to the press for whole-berry pressing and juice settling. The freshly picked grapes were pressed at the winery at low pressures, avoiding harsh tannins or unwanted flavors. Each vineyard was processed in individual lots. Frankel Vineyards Viognier was fermented with yeast ICVD-254 and exhibits strong peach and melon flavors. Frankel Viognier has the most ripe fruit flavors of the three lots and finishes BIG and lengthy. Robert Hall Viognier was fermented with Cross Evolution yeast and shows flavors of nectarine, passion fruit, and guava. Sukhy’s Creston Road Viognier was fermented with BA-11 yeast and contains a rich mouthfeel with pear and apple aromas dominating its profile. We elected to ferment at very cool temperatures, fashioning delicate flavors and textures. We blended the three wines together one month before bottling.
Héroe wines have been produced commercially at Sculpterra Winery and Sculpture Garden since 2012. Héroe celebrates the vineyard and winery workers; more specifically, the vineyard workers who are responsible for every operation at Sculpterra! Lugardo “Uga” Zatarian, featured on the front label of this bottle, is that man. Uga worked eight years at Frankel Family Vineyards doing all sorts of jobs in the vineyard. His tireless efforts and dedication to farming excellence, like all the others who work in our vineyard, are the reason our wine taste so wonderful. Uga retired in 2011 and this label honors the memory of his dedication to Sculpterra as he set a high standard!
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Varietal | 100% Viognier |
| Appellation | Paso Robles |
| Vineyard | Frankel Family Vineyard, Sukhy’s Home Ranch, Robert Hall Home |
| Acid | 0.74 g/100 ml |
| PH | 3.40 |
| Residual Sugar | 0.80 g/100 ml |
| Alcohol | 14.70% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 02/02/2024 |
| Cases Produced | 840 |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
| State of Origin | California |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
The 2023 growing season was one to be remembered! It all started with flooding and record-breaking rain that drenched our vineyard. A cooler spring and summer gave way to early fall-like weather in August and September. All that cold weather significantly delayed harvest. In fact, the grape harvest was an entire month later than usual. We started picking with our own Frankel Estate on September 14 and ended with Sukhy’s Creston Road Home Vineyard on November 2. That “gap” in picking created some tremendous flavors and complexity in the final blend. Robert Hall Home Viognier was harvested between the other two on October 25. These three vineyards' overall health and vigor were significantly improved in 2023, mainly due to the abundance of rainfall.
Paul Frankel
