Heartland (Australia) Viognier Pinot Gris 2004
Heartland is the affordable label of Ben Glaetzer, one of the world’s hottest wine-making figures ever since Rober Parker bestowed the magical perfect 100 score on his ‘Amon Ra’ Shiraz last year. I recently had lunch with Ben, and tasted through hs wines, where every one struck me as being beautifully balanced and crafted, and perfectly pitched between typical Aussie ebuliance and a certain harmony and restraint. This highly unusual blend of Viognier and Pinot Gris has a wonderfully smoky, Pinot Gris-dominated nose (despite that grape making up only around a quarter of the blend) with some floral character, and quite fat, buttery citrus, peach and herbal notes. On the palate this has lovely richness and terrific verve, with a deliciously deep mid-palate of ripe pear and a sweet toffeed note, with hints of luscious honey and spices. Wonderful stuff for the money. £7.99 Luvians, Great Western Wines, Abbey Fine Wines, Noel Young.
