Lark Hill ‘Dark Horse Vineyard’ Viognier 2012 (Canberra district)
12%, Screwcap, $25
Source: Sample
www.larkhillwine.com.au

QR code ahoy!

From the Carpenter family’s Dark Horse Vineyard, located in Murrumbateman. Thankfully the Viognier wasnt wiped out by the hail which hit the rest of the Dark Horse vineyard in February 2012. Note the tricky QR code on the screwcap lid – clever.

This was wild fermented in old oak barrels, yet looks anything but fat. Big ticks there for me.

‘Apricots and ginger’ the label says. More ginger than apricot for mine, but what’s a stone fruit between friends? It’s quite Riesling in its approach actually, a Viognier but with the delicacy and florals of Canberra Riesling. Lovely. The palate too is gentle and gingery, a phenolic lift through the middle and soft natural acidity. That subtle old barrel work gives some late creaminess to the palate too which is very welcome

A low alcohol, cleverly made local Viogner that emphasises subtley and fragrance over weight, this is hardly overly complex or deep, yet has a certain liveliness that I really liked. Speaking of like, I also enjoyed this tagline on the bottle too: ‘Perfect with light food on a hot day, and to help educate your friends about life after Sauvignon Blanc.’

Drink: Now – 2015
Score: 17.5/91