New Clairvaux Vineyard, Tehama County (California) Viognier 2022

 If you enjoy background narratives, this one is hard to beat.  The front label says this is  a “Trappist made Product,” and sure enough, the winery belongs to an Abbey which is part of the Cistercian Monastery.  The monks moved in in 1955, but the Vina Vineyard and winery can be traced back to 1881 when Leland Stanford bought the 600 acre property.  Today, the winemaking is handled by Aimee Sunseri, a  UC Davis grad and member of the Nichelini family of Napa Valley.  The climate in and around the home town of Vina is on the dry, warm side, to be polite.  This 100%, stainless steel fermented and aged Viognier is rich and nicely balanced, but shows the warm growing condition in its direct, uncomplicated ripe fruit style.  It could be mistaken for a Sauvignon Blanc, but offers lemongrass and pear aromas and flavors and is round on the palate with a solid, crisp finish.  My 90-point score is for a ready-to-drink white wine.