The 2010 Organic Viognier has intense white peach, warm pears and kumquat aromas with a touch of yeastiness. Medium-bodied with medium-high acid, it gives a nice satiny texture and a medium-long finish. Drink it now through 2012. Remaining one of Australia’s oldest, largest and most prestigious family owned companies, Yalumba’s top wines should not be overlooked amongst the limelight-hogging young-gun wines that have sprung-up around the Barossa in the last 20 years. Some of the region’s finest vineyards are owned or contracted by this company. They’ve also contributed considerably to the quality of vine material available throughout the region with the impressive developments at the Yalumba nursery. Regarding the current releases, The Signature and Octavius won’t be released in 2007. I was informed that in 2008 all their reds were picked before the first week of March but there were no single site wines made in 2008 because it was felt the fruit wasn’t expressing the sites. 2009 was a good year and everything will be released, though winemaker Louisa Rose confessed that their early maturing Shiraz suffered the most in the 2009 heat spike.Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993

Broad, spicy, round and generous, offering a silky, polished mouthful of almond, floral, spice, pear and lychee notes. Drink now. 800 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / South Australia Select to Add

This represents a top value among Viogniers, which often carry a price tag loftier than their quality deserves. Not so in this case; the variety’s floral aromas are well displayed, backed by hints of melon, apricot and gingery spice. It’s fairly full bodied, with a slightly viscous texture that extends the warm finish. Drink now. ——J.C.(5/1/2011)—— 90