APPEARANCE Medium golden straw in colour, bright and clear, showing evidence of texture and alcohol in the glass.
NOSE Clean and inviting, the nose is immediately promising and complex. Deep and rich, the aromas of peach, apricot and musk are ripe and intense with just a whiff of spicy French oak under-pinning the stylish fruit and providing an extra dimension of complexity.
PALATE Beautifully balanced, with power and intensity but without the excess softness and weight sometimes seen with this variety. An inviting palate with balanced lemony acid, there are ripe peach and apricot fruit flavours and smooth texture flowing right through the wine. The ample alcohol contributes to this richness without alcohol heat being evident and the judicious use of quality French oak adds further complexity and depth to the wine.
A worthy successor to the successful 2005, confirming the Cirko V Viognier style of complexity with drinkability.
CELLARING This wine has so much immediate appeal that there seems little point in encouraging its maturation in bottle. Its rich fruity nose and palate encourage current enjoyment but it also has the essential ingredients for maturation, being great fruit and sufficient acidity to ensure preservation. Some short-term cellar ageing will see added concentration in the richness and textural properties of the wine, but I wouldn't overdo it as the crispness of the wine will also slowly diminish, as will the primary fruit aromas. The great Condrieu (Viognier) wines of the Rhône Valley don't last for ever either! Drink within 3-4 years.
PARTNERING FOOD Viognier isn’t an easy wine to match with food, with its richness and texture. Having said that, rich crab or lobster dishes and other white meats such as sauced poultry and roast pork will partner well with Viognier. The variety has a natural affinity with rosemary and stone-fruit sauces, and soft subtle cheeses will also match well.
THE VARIETY This northern Rhône Valley variety has its own appellation of Condrieu where it makes wines of beguiling aroma and texture. Rich and quite full-bodied, may or lime blossom, apricots and peaches, and musk all play a part in the varietal profile. Viognier is also added to Syrah in the characterful wines of Côte Rôtie, to add complexity and elegance to the wines. The Rhône Valley and southern France, along with California and Australia, produce excellent Viognier, a variety which is rapidly gaining popularity.
Varieties: 100% Viognier
Oak Treatment: 12 months in old Sirugue French oak barrels
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