2010 Tahbilk Viognier
Nagambie Lakes, Victoria
Tahbilk is one of Australia’s icon wineries, owned by the Purbrick family and situated in the little known central Victorian wine region of Nagambie Lakes. It has been a big year for the Purbricks, as they celebrate one hundred and fifty years of wine production at Tahbilk and it is wonderful to see that this, Victoria’s oldest family owned winery and vineyard (they have the oldest shiraz vines in the world!), is still producing excellent wines at all price points.
Ever a fan of the Marsanne, I was delighted to taste the 2010 Viognier. Both varieties are originally from the Rhone in France, and are beautifully different from the mainstream. The unique thing about Viognier is that, when it is made right, as this one is, it smells of the ripest peaches, apricots and honeysuckle – almost sweet and certainly rich, and then on the palate it is round and soft, yet savoury and textural – sort of the opposite of a Riesling! What this variety lacks in acidity – and yes it does have soft acid – it makes up for in glycerols and extract. Tahbilk has hit the nail on the head with the 2010 – a delicious wine to enjoy with a perfect free-range roast chicken, turkey and ham.
Online Price: $16.95
© Kate McIntyre December 2010
Wine Diva Wines of the Month, January 2011
