Yalumba The Virgilius Viognier 2022

Yalumba The Virgilius Viognier 2022

  10:35    Stu.

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The last Friday in April is designated as "International Viognier Day". Unsure who gets to make a call to designate such, regardless Yalumba - without whom the variety might not exist, certainly in an Australian context at least - were kind enough to sling a bottle of their flagship "Virgilius" to mark the occasion.

Some barrel time - ten months, French oak - adds its presence here, over white florals and spice (mace, ginger) and a little vanilla.

There's weight to the palate, varietal and stylistically. Spice, depth - it's dry and on an excellent length and persistence of flavour. Drink to ten years. 94

Tasted on: Friday 26th April

Source: Sample
Price: $57
Alcohol:13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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Edenflo Lemon Krush 2021

Edenflo Lemon Krush 2021

  16:00    Stu.

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Eden Valley Semillon and Chardonnay with extended skin contact. Creates a lightly cloudy wine, almost lemon barley like in appear. Krushing it.

Grapefruit, dried ginger, preserved lemons. Fresh style - yet I'd suggest the palate is where the real excitement is.

A textural deliciousness married to a minerally zing, a three-way unison with a spine of acid carrying this one through the finish.

There's a savoury edge to the wine through its final third, you think you have its mark, and yet it delivers something more. At turns it's an ultra-refreshing wine, a textural wunderkind, then overall a wine of class and refined length. Big fan here. 93

Tasted on: 17th June 2021
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: TBC
Closure: DIAM
Website: https://edenflowines.com.au/

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Edenflo Quincy J 2020

Edenflo Quincy J 2020

  08:30    Stu.

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A delicious skinsy blend of Eden Valley Gewürz, Riesling and Viognier.

Eden Flo is Andrew Wardlaw and sidekick (dog) Quincy Jones. Andrew was at pains to express how to best sample his wines - attention to detail a boon - advising to avoid excess cold and allow time and air for fuller expression. 

Pouring a somewhat hedonistic golden colour, and immediately redolent of florals, Quince and stewed apple. 

The palate conveyed an immediate nuttiness, followed by lavish texture and generous spiced nuance across the finish. 

Respecting the winemaker's wishes, after 24 hours the skinsy, Quincey vibe is more pronounced on the nose. Across the palate, ginger is pulled forward and caressed by quite a lavish textural throw. The spice is really quite prominent now, seemingly adding to the sustain of the wine's finish. 

A rather exquisite wine of detail, texture and interest. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 31st January 
Source: Sample
Price: $33
Alcohol: 
Closure: Cork
Website: https://edenflowines.com.au/

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Domaines Paul Mas Vignes de Nicole Viognier 2019

Domaines Paul Mas Vignes de Nicole Viognier 2019

  16:30    Stu.

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I think these may be Dan Murphy's exclusive imports into Australia.

Chicken stock and stonefruit, soft and inviting. 

Luscious, a textural interplay across the palate, veering towards a viscosity that pulls forward stonefruit juice. Moderate length of flavour, pleasurable enough wine. 89 

Tasted on: Friday 18th September 
Source: Sample
Price: $16.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.palatepr.com/

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Nomad's Garden Skin Contact Field Blend 2019

Nomad's Garden Skin Contact Field Blend 2019

  16:30    Stu.

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Nomad's Garden, a sub-brand of El Dorado road, from memory a labour of love to restore a much neglected vineyard in Beechworth, in Vic's NE.

This field blend being a Viognier and Marsanne co-ferment. Has that unmistakeable, skinsy (270 days thereon) vibe: Citrus peel, Jasmine, hints of bergamot

Slippery textured number, sliding across the palate, it's lighter in flavour that the aromatics initially indicate, clicking in at sub 10% explains that. Regardless, it's a harmoniously textured slip of a wine. 92 

Tasted on: Tuesday 14th April 
Source: Retail
Price: $25
Alcohol: 9.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.nomadsgarden.com.au/

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d'Arenberg The Old Bloke & Three Young Blondes Shiraz 2015

d'Arenberg The Old Bloke & Three Young Blondes Shiraz 2015

  08:30    Stu.

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Upon initial release this wine proved rather controversial and divisive, with Chester Osborn (perhaps the old bloke in the wine's title) bringing prime McLaren Vale Shiraz with Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne (the supposed young blondes).

Red fruit: raspberry and chocolate; fresh earth, summer sun, remnants of oak - older.

The palate shows the fruit, balanced juxtaposed against a savoury edge. Tannins are fine, nigh silty - persistent and delivering on a generous length of flavour.

Latterly, perhaps with just a little time, the 'blondes' come out to play: adding a roundness to the wine, softening the full impact of the Shiraz without sacrificing the length. More than a nod to the Northern Rhone, from the rolling hills of McLaren Vale. 93 

Tasted on: Monday 24th February 
Source: Sample
Price: $200
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Rusty Mutt Catnip Viognier 2019

Rusty Mutt Catnip Viognier 2019

  08:30    Stu.

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Unmistakeable stonefruit meets citrus profile, quince and a mere touch of honeyed nuance adding further. I thought there was a touch of wood on show, yet it's all stainless and any flesh and spice is from variety and winemaker's hand alone.

Textural, spiced flourishes and bearing some pickled ginger - hallmark of a good Viognier. Bang on, well made. 92 

Tasted on: Tuesday 25th February 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.rustymutt.com.au/

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Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2019

Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2019

  16:00    Stu.

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A very good entry level Viognier, from Yalumba - the masters of the variety in Australia.

Apricots, subtle citrus (mandarin peel/ segments or such), honeyed aspects and a smattering of ginger spice that is normally only seen in the better examples.

A mix of textural richness, managing to balance that creamy aspect to the wine with an almost savoury nuanced palate. A touch of acidic drive, further hints of spice just add to the overall proposition. 90

Tasted on: Saturday 16th November, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.yalumba.com

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Yalumba Hand Picked Shiraz Viognier 2016

Yalumba Hand Picked Shiraz Viognier 2016

  08:00    Stu.

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Dense Plum and Mulberry, oak; in the glass the tell-tale vibrant rim, alluding to the Viognier. Oak latterly manifests itself in that mocha, vanilla manner - never quite throwing off the dense and succulent black fruit.

The palate is energetically driven by a line of acidity, citrus like in manner, a view consistent with many Syrah/Shiraz that I've had the pleasure to know. Medium bodied, tannin fine, fruit and acid presence embrace in a race to the finish. Drink now, or go to 10 in the cellar. 92 

Tasted on: Saturday 23rd November, a Root day

Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2015

d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2015

  08:30    Stu.

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Black fruit, by way of Plum and Mulberry. Something almost figgy at its core.

Semblance of sweet black fruit on entry, segueing toward to a darker heart and what manifests as a savoury edge. Dark chocolate, pan juices even, exhibiting something more of a cooler clime vibe than in recent years. 

Balanced, a good release. 91 

Tasted on: Wednesday 6th November, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2018

Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2018

  16:00    Stu.

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Yalumba's Y Series represents cracking value across the board. This Shiraz Viognier is no exception. An inviting hit of Mulberry, blackcurrant, even some cherry in the mix; what seems a mere kiss of oak - there is none - accentuates and frames the wine up. Peppery hints tickle the nasal cavity.

Medium bodied on entry to the palate, black fruit that glides across effortlessly, fine rub of tannin; spice and acidity aid flow and length.

Very good value. This wouldn't look out of place amongst luminaries two times the price. 89

Tasted on: Wednesday 20th November, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.yalumba.com/

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Ballandean Estate Viognier 2017

Ballandean Estate Viognier 2017

  12:30    Stu.

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Viognier seems to be a variety enjoying a resurgence on the Granite Belt, a combination - I think - of good conditions and winemakers getting a handle on the nuances of the variety. It's a variety I explored in a longer form piece (link) and was pleased on a recent visit to the Granite Belt to see it showing well. 

Vanilla kissed stonefruit, subtle ginger and musky hints. It's that fruit that has primacy, with the seasoning in the background  

Spice tinged palate, perhaps a suggestion of a barrel component adding further substance. If at all, it would be minor, sufficient enough to add weight and shape. 

Decent flow and energy, perhaps languidly so, and length. Give this a stab with something like a ginger poached chicken. 90 

Tasted on: Monday 17th June, a Leaf to Fruit day 
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $25
Alcohol: TBA
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.ballandeanestate.com

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Warramunda Estate Viognier 2017

Warramunda Estate Viognier 2017

  17:30    Stu.

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Baked goods, creamy cashew, stonefruit, perhaps a suggestion of chicken stock in the mix. 

Textural, has width and weight as it rolls across the tongue. It gives way to a white pepper aspect, a minerally spice.  Freshness first, look for it to take on further weight, width and wonder with some time in bottle. 91+

Tasted on: Sunday 26th May, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $40
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://warramundaestate.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2015

d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2015

  18:00    Stu.

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The palate is fairly juicy, plump in fact, shot with Plummy fruit. The aromatics somewhat more subdued.

The oak is a touch prominent, the tannin a touch powdery. At four years of age it feels somewhat angular, coming together. Given that I only tasted the 2014 less than 6 months ago, this feels a somewhat premature release. Indeed the wine comes in a pre-release "Sample" packaging. Give it some time. 90+ 

Tasted on: Tuesday 30th April, A Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au

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Ridgemill Estate The Lincoln Shiraz Viognier 2017

Ridgemill Estate The Lincoln Shiraz Viognier 2017

  17:30    Stu.

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The vibrant rim gives a clear indication of Viognier's presence in the blend. For mine it doesn't necessarily convey its presence aromatically, instead that consistent earthen presence, consistent with my thoughts on the 2016 (link) release. 

Deep and dark fruits convey their presence on the nose, yet - somewhat paradoxically - the softer fruit elements, perhaps even a little of Viognier's stonefruit, being present in the palate. 

Soft, seductive and sensuous, it's silken threaded tannins cascade across the palate. A resurgence of fruit provides some extra drive through the final third. A generous wine, though perhaps Joshua has the edge on Lincoln this year! 92 

Tasted on: Monday 17th June, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://ridgemillestate.com/

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d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2014

d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2014

  12:30    Stu.

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The glowing rim gives it away, yet the aroma speaks more to the oak and dense McLaren

Vale fruit, perhaps a latent violet and blackcurrant fruit edge.

The palate is almost sculpted, textured tannin sweeping across the palate, yielding to little. It's a good release, as good as I can recall in recent years. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 13th December
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Rock of Wisdom Shiraz Viognier 2017

Rock of Wisdom Shiraz Viognier 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Earthen with black fruit elements giving support. It's like a warm - Barossan - summer day, the ground beneath your feet acting as a heat sink and with Plum and Mulberry freshly squeezed in your hand to release its juices. 

Slick and silken as it glides across the palate, a little oak and backed up with a plethora of spices: black pepper and brown baking spice. A sweeter accent, like a sugar dusting, accentuates the finish. It drives and delivers long - a testament to the fruit's quality. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 11th November 

Source: Sample
Price: $28
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://rock-of-wisdom.myshopify.com

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d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2018

d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2018

  11:50    Stu.

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Has this golden aura, a succulent and rounded aromatic profile with stonefruit top notes. The Viognier is principal variety here and it shows. 

It's rich and loaded on the palate, the vanilla edged Marsanne staking its claim here. It's got a sweeter edge too, akin to a baked apricot pastry or such. It's fleshiness singing, filling the void of your oral cavity. 90 

Tasted on: Friday 10th May, a Flower to Leaf day

Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au

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d'Arenberg Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2017

d'Arenberg Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2017

  14:30    Stu.

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Apricot nectar leads, carries with it a white pepper - perhaps mace too - and gingerbread spice.

Palate offers vanilla creme, leading to a roundness of palate. It grows in stature, lime and tropical elements added to the picture. Pulls up a little short - minor quibble at $15, good and interesting drinking otherwise. 89 

Tasted on: Thursday 16th August, a Root to Flower day 
Source: Sample
Price: $15
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Alkoomi Black Label Shiraz Viognier 2016

Alkoomi Black Label Shiraz Viognier 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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Smokey, Plummy, biscuity, nutty.

Exudes a cool and dark presence, feels tight and somewhat shy. There's black Cherry at its heart, a tail of licorice and a good rub of gravelly tannin. Good going, a cool wine from a cool region. 89

Tasted on: Tuesday 3rd April, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $24
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.alkoomiwines.com.au/

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