2021 Shiraz Viognier The Shiraz Viognier is our flagship, a careful selection of the best of the Shiraz Viognier parcels we craft from our Murrumbateman vineyard.
Review:
I've been chipping away at a bottle of this 2021 Shiraz Viognier all week of a nighttime, and a very interesting and impressive trend has emerged. Despite the wine in the glass being delicate, pristine and almost a little nervous (a product of the cool La Niña year that was responsible for over 1,000 millimeters of rain, when the average is only 630 millimeters), over the course of a couple of days at first, it opened up beautifully, the major impact being on the texture, which has silked right out and has brought all components of the wine into harmony. Onto day three and four, the wine has started to indicate little hints of the exotic spice, cocoa nib and roasted meat rind that it picks up in old age, yet it has not fallen to the ravages of oxygen. This evolution tells me everything I need and want to know about its quality and ageability. So, what's it like? It has notes of rose petals, raspberry leaf tea, brine, licorice root, redcurrant, tobacco leaf and even a hint of orange rind/bergamot. The palate is shaped by very fine tannins that cascade across the mouth, leaving a trail of cocoa nib, clove bud and again with the orange zest/bergamot suggestion. Such a beautiful wine in youth, it's no wonder much of it won't make its first birthday! As seems to be the ongoing trend, this has 6% Viognier inclusion and is lighter in alcohol this year, at 13.2%. Highly collectable.
- Wine Advocate 97 points
Laird Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley is made from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: 100% Big Ranch Road
Appellation: Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley and Rutherford
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
15% of Big Ranch fermented in Neutral Oak barrels + 2% of Smith Ranch fermented in Neutral Oak Barrels.
This lively and prolific varietal thrives in alluvial deposits composed of gravelly sand and gravelly loam, with good water retention and moderate fertility. Our Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc is crafted in an approachable, fruit-forward style that is typical of the varietal and expressive of its terroir.
Tasting Notes: Translucent gold color leads to notes of juicy ripe pineapple, jasmine, Kaffir lime and Juicy Fruit gum entice the nose. Balanced, yet vibrant body of acidity tantalizes the palate with pineapple, passion fruit and Charentais Melon; a refreshing layer of minerality hits your mid-palate. The elegant, floral finish opens into a complex balance of white peaches, nectarines.