2008YalumbaTheVirgiliusViognier

Sans Viognier is a biologically unstable grape variety and for a time was practically extinct with only a tiny amount grown in the Northern Rhone. However, since more stable clones have been propagated Viognier has become the “Holy Grailâ€?for many white wine makers. So what’s the big attraction? On its own, the vine in cool climates produces a very aromatic wine with a perfumed nose which is even more exotic than Gewurztraminer. Every time we’ve tasted the famous Chateau Grillet â€?the nose has been as mysterious as the wine is rare, with a range of aromas that can best be described as super ripe, exotic tropical fruits that are verging ‘on the turnâ€?or going off. Yalumba have been the Champion of the varietal in Australia, planting 1.2 hectares in the Barossa Valley in 1980.