Yalumba The Virgilius Eden Valley Viognier 2004

At last had a chance to try this wine, which has been much lauded over the past years as Australia's top example of viognier. The bouquet was quite big and powerful on opening, but settled down to an elegant array of apricot, peach, lemon verbena, nougat, honey, musk and flashes of grilled nuts. On the palate initially again quite intense, but settled to show chewey fruit over a fine controlled acidity and subtle nutty oak. Finished quite long and dry, with a slight grippy but fading bitterness on the back of the palate. This was a beautifully made wine, showing a great balance between an upper Rhone style and a punchy Australian style. Indeed the finest Viognier I have had from this country. Good value at $40.
50+4+14+18+8 = 94/100