Yalumba Virgilius Viognier Eden Valley 2023

Unquestionably Australia’s flagship Viognier, and has been for many years, the Virgilius sits comfortably with the best made on the planet (and is usually significantly better buying). From the Eden Valley, this comes from the team’s oldest Viognier vines – they first planted this variety back in 1980 when there seemed every chance that it would slide into extinction. This vintage spent ten months in French oak. A pale lemon hue, this is beautifully aromatic. No escaping the grape though – Viognier is as distinctive as Gewürztraminer, when well made. There is ginger and lemongrass here, but most especially apricot, along with mandarins, nectarines and a touch of orange rind. We also have aromas of spices and a touch of limes. Such balance and length! A superb Viognier/Virgilius, which surely has at least six to ten years ahead of it.