2011 'Dark Horse Vineyard' Viognier $25
;)
Originally from the Rhone Valley, Viognier brings its characteristic hints of apricot and ginger to enliven our palates and challenge our preconceptions.
This wine was made from grapes grown at our "Dark Horse" vineyard in the warmer Murrumbateman sub-region of the Canberra District. It was wild yeast fermented to give a delicious food friendly dry white wine.
Reviews:
Nick Stock; Good Wine Guide 2012
"This is an elegant, floral and fragrant take on this Rhone Valley white grap, showing trademark stone fruits, sweet gardenia-like perfume and honeysuckle. The palate's smooth yet crunchy - quite elegant and balanced - with a bright, gently grippy finish.
92 Points
Viognier can be a difficult grape to get right. It more often than might be hoped for can result in a wine with an alcohol level that is unbalanced relative to its fruit (towards and sometimes over "15"), and can be bitter too. Lark Hill's 2011 viognier from their "Dark Horse" vineyard in the Murrumbateman sub-region of the Canberra District happily does not fall into these traps. Lemon-green in colour, it has an aroma of spice, lemon pith and apricot kernel. On the palate, a viscous texture together with notes of apricot, spice and oil. Good length too. There is a subtlety and delicacy that distinguishes this viognier, particularly having tasted a couple of more brute like versions from the Yarra Valley recently. Recommended. Perhaps there is something in the region, as I like Clonakilla's viognier too, and this one is $20 less. 88 to 89 points.