Angove South Australia
Nine Vines Shiraz Viognier
2007
Seeing this bottle on our shelves, a friend remarked, "Shiraz and Viognier. That's an odd combination, right?" Actually, French law permits up to 20% of the white grape Viognier to be mixed with red Syrah in Côte Rôtie, a Northern Rhône appellation. The apricot, pear, and floral notes of the Viognier lighten the dark, earthy Syrah. The result can be wonderful and age worthy.
Shiraz is what they call Syrah down under. The 2007 Nine Vines is young and earnest. It's a deep ruby purple, highly extracted and highly alcoholic. The dominant notes are cherry and current and tobacco. We get little of the perfumy light stone fruit we associate with Viognier, but it's probably helping a little.
Overall, this wine's a bit rough. It's probably age worthy, worth laying down and trying in a couple of years.
Price: $14
