Not far from home..
2008 Yalumba Virgilius Viognier; Probably the best Virgilius yet (show success notwithstanding). Great lifted nose of ginger, dusty oak,white peach and funky yeast. Palate is rich and weighty without being flabby. No real acid 'cut' to the palate but in balance all the same. As well, none of the classic varietal Viognier tannin/phenolic finish which I kind of like (in moderation, can be a good foil to the oily/richness thing). Not sure if that palate richness is helped by any RS, but love it all the same..Better than 07, which I thought (surprisingly, given the year: better than the benchmark 06's) was the goods. Label Alc = 13.5%..Buy and drink now..
Heading South now, but different Hemisphere..
2006 D. Oratoire St Martin Cairanne 'Haut Coustias'.Is it me, or is the Rhone taking a decidely New World approach withot fessin' up to it?? Or do i just naturally gravitate towards producers that keep things clean in their wineries? Christ, they will be using screwcaps next!! I digress. First up, the tell tale 'tanky' character which is vinous foreplay for me. Fresh lifted aromas of really ripe plummy fruit,no real perceivable oak on the nose. Palate is focussed and rich, dense flavours of, well, GRAPES!!! A touch of stalky/pomace extract to counter the richness(we like that). Good persistence and length.. Really good stuff.
Alc = 14.5%.
TN: North and South Rhone, New and Old World
Re: TN: North and South Rhone, New and Old World
Tim,
L'Oratoire St Martin is fabulous and remarkably consistent from year to year, considering they use about 60% Mourvèdre the balance is split between Syrah and Grenache). I tasted the '06 at the Domaine last year and am glad to see other folks like it as well. Some tidbits I wrote down while I was there: Organic since '04, no pigeage since '01 (submerged cap instead), no barriques since '06.
Have you tried the white Haut Coustias? Really good as well, a blend of 40% Marsanne, 40% roussanne, 10% Clairette, 10% Grenache Blanc. Gets nicely truffley about 5-6 years after the vintage (2001 drinking great last year).
L'Oratoire St Martin is fabulous and remarkably consistent from year to year, considering they use about 60% Mourvèdre the balance is split between Syrah and Grenache). I tasted the '06 at the Domaine last year and am glad to see other folks like it as well. Some tidbits I wrote down while I was there: Organic since '04, no pigeage since '01 (submerged cap instead), no barriques since '06.
Have you tried the white Haut Coustias? Really good as well, a blend of 40% Marsanne, 40% roussanne, 10% Clairette, 10% Grenache Blanc. Gets nicely truffley about 5-6 years after the vintage (2001 drinking great last year).
Joe Czerwinski