Dave Collins is the winemaker at Big Cork Vineyards, in Maryland. He has been a legend in Virginia and Maryland for some time now. I have drank many of his wines, happily, over the years. So I was excited to try his his Big Cork Viognier 2023 at the recent Eastern Winery Exposition a few months ago. He can be acerbic, and funny as hell. But he is also very serious about making wine.
Big Cork Vineyards Viognier 2023 is made from estate grown fruit. As promised from the winemaker's notes, on the nose there are notes of honeysuckle, white peach, pineapple, and hints of clementine and vanilla. On the palate, there's apricot, honeydew melon, and green apple, with a lovely soft middle, and a good firm zippy ending. This is everything a Viognier should be. This is the kind of wine that would stand out in any region. Outstanding.
And Dave Collins has done it again!