Yalumba, Eden Valley (South Australia) Viognier 2020

 A beautiful, graceful, dry white wine with peach, apricot, lychee flavors mingling with floral notes.  In the mouth it is rich with a creamy texture.  Winemaker Louisa Rose commented in a recent virtual tasting, “if you looked at the analysis of the Viognier, you would think it is a red, because it’s a bit higher in alcohol, with a higher pH and yet so fresh and with the ability to age.”  It comes from Eden Valley, a higher and cooler sub-region of the Barossa Valley, in which the winery is located.   Sixty percent is fermented in French oak puncheons and barriques and part in stainless steel then aged on the lees for 9 to 10 months before blending. “This is the essence of our Viognier,” she said.