2019 Reserve Viognier

Technical Details

Harvest Date 24 February 2019 | Alcohol 13.7%

Wine Makers

Marc Scalzo
Jonathon Thompson

Maturation

Matured in 50% new French oak and 50% 1 year old French oak for 11 months. Wine barrel fermented and lees stirred and left on lees for an extended time. The wine was bottled eleven months after harvest.

Background

The Viognier was planted in the second development of the vineyard undertaken in 2000. Two hectares of the Yalumba clone Viognier were grafted onto two different varieties of rootstock, Swartzman and Paulsen. Unfortunately the Swartzman did not survive the severity of the extended drought from 2005 – 2009. An area of 1.5 Ha remains, with a replanting program to replace the area lost undertaken during spring 2010. The vines crop at 2300kg / Ha and are spur pruned with the west side of the canopy left to sprawl and the east side lifted with wires to let the morning sun in.

Vintage

After a cool and dry winter, budburst was later in North East Victoria than in previous years. With a mild and dry October and November flowering took place a little later than normal. During December, the season warmed significantly with very hot conditions, in particular over the festive period. There was no significant respite from this heat until the end of January. Surprisingly, vintage began on average at the start of February, just as an uncharacteristic cool spell hit, resulting in temperatures much lower for the first two weeks of harvest. Some supplementary irrigation was added. Yields were generally 2500 kg to the Ha back to our long term average.

Wine Description

This is our Fourth release of the Reserve Viognier and one we are particularly proud of. The prior Reserve Viognier vintages were well received by wine commentators and sommeliers. The wine exhibits a classic Viognier nose with a flavour profile replicating some of the best French Viognier’s from Condrieu in the Rhône Valley. This wine is a wonderfully intense multi-layered wine with strong varietal characteristics. There is a aroma of floral scent, tinned peach, nectarine, and dried apricots and flavours of citrus and floral, a generous wine with length, softness, and flavour. This wine is well suited to Asian style foods and fish. Chill when serving

Cellaring Potential

A Very Good Vintage 2028