Pfeiffer 2010 Viognier

It's probably going a bit far to describe Viognier as an alternative variety these days (particularly noting a recent reference on one of the wine blogs I follow to the V weed) but it's hardly mainstream either.

Given the possibility that the name originates from the Roman pronunciation of the via Gehennae, or road to Hell, and the variety's reputation for being difficult to grow and susceptible to  powdery mildew, it'll be interesting to see how the '11 Viogniers shape up after the trials and tribulations of this year's vintage which mightn't have quite been the road to hell (particularly now that the statistics are in) but definitely shares a nearby postcode.

We're not, however, looking at this year's model here, and with a late ripening variety that needs to be picked at the right time since the fruit flavours arrive in a rush at the end of the ripening process you'd want to be getting things right, wouldn't you?

Pfeiffer 2010 Viognier (4* $25 C2 $22.50) My research notes suggest that when the grower gets it right deep yellow grapes produce wine high in alcohol with a strong perfume. While 13.2% isn't all that high, the aromatics were definitely there on the nose (peaches and stone fruits, touch of spice) with the apricots coming out across the palate. This Wine Club only number, nicely textured and hitting the right spot when it came to accompanying my favourite roast chook could, once again have been rounded up, but one suspects it'll be all gone by the time the Gamay order goes in.