1998 Yalumba Barossa Shiraz Viognier

It would be fair to say that Yalumba have mastered the Viognier grape more than any other producers in Australia - and that’s saying a lot considering that some winemakers have been experimenting with this variety since the late 1960's. The small addition of the white grape to a red wine is permitted in only one appellation in France - Cote Rotie (not counting Champagne of course). The purpose of the blend is to provide the Shiraz with added layer of aromatics and complexity. It does this very well.Very deep colour - crimson hues almost opaque. Perfumed nose of violets and liquorice with a hint of dark chocolate and blackpepper. The palate is full bodied very generous in flavours, with an abundance of ripe plums, blackpeppers, vanilla and spice. The blackpeper flavours lead into a very long aftertaste and are brilliantly counterpointed by velvet smooth tannin. Very long aftertaste, slightly warm, with lingering spice and blackpepper. Cellar 4-5 years. Stocks are extremely limited.

RATING: 93/100

VALUE: XXXX/5