Varietal	100% Viognier
Closure	Screw Cap	Size	750ml
Alc/Vol	13.5%	Enjoy	Now - 2010
The 2009 Viognier is the result of another warm and dry growing season, closely reflecting the climate of the variety’s original home in the Northern Rhone Valley. A complex wine with intensely aromatic stone fruit, quince and fig on the nose. The palate is generous and textured, following through with more fruit and spice. The fruit for this wine was grown at our Merindoc Vineyard, located at Tooborac in the southern cooler part of the Heathcote wine region, Central Victoria. The vineyard is planted on low fertility ironstone and granite soils, surrounded by spectacular granite boulders. The fruit for this wine was hand-harvested in early March and whole-bunch pressed, both of these techniques were utilized to minimize the extraction of excess phenolic characters. The juice was then cold settled and racked prior to commencement of fermentation in used French oak barriques. At the completion of the primary fermentation, a portion underwent malolactic fermentation to further soften the wine and add texture. The wine was bottled under screwcap in July 2009.
What the critics think
“The Story - Many Viogniers get themselves into oily, unctuous territory, but this has a restrained ripeness, still with honeysuckle, and peach and apricot two fruits sharpened by grapefruit-like acidity. The Flavour – Heathcote is well know for its shiraz but any more white varietal action like this and there’ll be further head turning. Part has been barrel fermented to give extra texture. Serve with a cheese platter or even crispy-skinned chicken.” Rating; 4 star. Value; Decent. Verdict; Well Done. Tony Love – ‘Taste’ The Herald Sun – 23 February 2010
“What - I’m enjoying a viognier now? I go crazy. No less, a viognier from the 2009 Victorian vintage. Isn’t that supposed to be a write off? You can cut it, you can dice it, you can wild yeast ferment it in the best barrels, but surely it’s still viognier. And yet I really like this. It’s got a cool, fresh tanginess to it and its alcohol kick has been kept in check. That’s a very good start. It’s then spicy, gingery almost, with a nutty, roasted finish and perhaps some floral elements along the way. Most folks will enjoy drinking this. Because it’s good.” 92 points Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front Monthly - August 2009