GUM Wines A Field Viognier 2023

From the second set of releases by this young gun producer. Organically grown Viognier from pre-Cambrian soils in Tooleen, Heathcote. Fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and seasoned Stockinger puncheon. Gratifyingly fragrant and sweet in its aromatic aesthetic. Apricot blossom, Meyer lemon, yellow apple and fresh-cut apricot flesh at the fore, melding beautifully with earl grey tea and faint oak-derived dustiness. Some candied fruits and peach skin to follow, before a counteracting vein of brine and wet river stone builds with air. There’s a good hit of viscous glycerol texture to the palate which is full bodied and sapid. Apricot notes at the fore again, bursting through the mouth alongside bitter peach skin, meyer lemon, brine and kumquat. Some gentle structure in tow to shape it out. There’s no doubting the variety here for it’s texture and fruit attack, and the cut of brine brings lovely interest and complexity, while weighing in at a mere 12.4% ABV.  Pair with roast chicken to see it come to see it really shine.