Eden Valley 13.5% Screwcap $ 24.95
A cracking release of Yalumba’s middle tiered Viognier and one that I urge people to seek out at the price. A few tech specs because they play a large part in why the wine is so successful – 60% barrel fermentation, all wild yeast and 10 months battonage.
This leads to a creamy, textural wine with lees derived cheesy funk and plenty of subtleties. Apricot skin and flesh, other miscellaneous stone fruits, galangal and ginger bread with exotic musky undertones. The palate is lightly honeyed but a vein of savouriness runs through it. It lingers beautifully with haunting spice and a suggestion of tangy citrus.
Cohesive, controlled and convincing, this avoids all the pitfalls of the variety whilst adding a few new and exciting twists. A stellar effort that explodes the representation of Viognier as alcoholic apricot juice.
Winery website- http://www.yalumba.com/