2022 Viognier by Four Lanterns

An overview of this elegant wine from owner and winemaker Steve Gleason:

​The 2022 Viognier from Four Lanterns Vineyard & Winery is a beautifully refined expression of this aromatic Rhône white, grown in the cool, wind-swept hills of Paso Robles’ Willow Creek District. Sourced entirely from the estate’s Glass Hawk Vineyard, this vintage reflects a delicate touch in both farming and winemaking. The winery describes it as their most elegant Viognier to date—subtle and balanced, rather than overtly floral or tropical. It’s a wine shaped by the unique terroir of the Westside: calcareous soils, coastal influence, and a long growing season that allows Viognier to fully ripen while maintaining freshness. The result is a white wine that delivers lifted aromatics, ripe stone fruit, and a polished texture that never feels heavy.

​Critics have praised the wine for its warm notes of toasted hazelnut, buttery soufflé, and a generous core of ripe peach that flows seamlessly across the palate. The finish carries surprising freshness for a Viognier, offering subtle threads of herb and minerality that enhance its food-friendliness. This is a wine that bridges richness and restraint—showing just enough weight and creaminess to satisfy lovers of full-bodied whites, while still offering vibrancy and elegance to those who prefer finesse. It’s an ideal pairing for nuanced dishes: roasted poultry with herbs, creamy risottos, or even mildly spiced Moroccan tagines. The 2022 Viognier is a quiet standout—confident in its subtlety, and a clear reflection of Four Lanterns’ maturing style.

Sincere Wines Online Tasting Notes:

• Appearance: Pale gold with a luminous sheen—rich enough to weight the glass, yet light enough to suggest delicacy.
  
• Aroma: A graceful interplay of honey, lemon blossom, and peach, alongside subtler tones of watermelon rind and tender lamb's ear sage for herbal intrigue. A soft twist of toasted hazelnut and buttery soufflé accentuates the nose’s complexity.
  
• Palate: Medium-bodied and gracefully textured, it delivers stone fruit intensity--ripe peach and nectarine—wrapped in a gentle creaminess. The wine moves with plush ease across the tongue, anchored by a subtle hint of toasted hazelnut warmth and a palate weight that invites slow savoring.
  
• Structure: Balanced between richness and energetic clarity, the wine carries moderate alcohol with a soft cream-like texture that remains lifted by refreshing acidity. Textural elegance supports the fruit without heaviness.
  
• Finish: Clean and resonant, the finish leaves behind echoes of peach, a fine dusting of sage, and a balancing whisper of minerality—a graceful, ringing reminder of its Paso roots.
  
• Overall Impression: The 2022 Viognier from Four Lanterns is a refined and graceful white—sophisticated in its subtlety, yet full in its aromatic and textural expression. It’s a wine for those who seek layered clarity over opulence. Serve it with spring vegetable risotto, grilled white fish, or gently spiced curry for an elegant pairing.