Yalumba (Australia) ‘Y Series’ Viognier 2005
Made by Louisa Rose , who also makes the brilliant Rieslings at sister company Pewsey Vale, this is a consistent favourite Viognier of mine, and this incredibly fresh, screwcapped 2005 version is as good as ever. The nose has a beautifully alluring sheen of oatmeal and honey from its time on the lees (it is unoaked), but is centred around ripe but clean pear and lemony fruit, with touches of apricot and nectarine. On the palate it is rich and powerful, its 14.5% alcohol packing a punch, but that core of dry, citrussy fruit, with a lemon zest acidity and hints of tangy orange fruit, has plenty of mouthwatering, savoury appeal. There is a lusciousness and weight about this wine, but it is food-friendly and well-balanced too. £6.99 Waitrose, Tesco, some Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Unwins.
