Viognier is just perfect for making sweet wine when you think about it. Low in acidity, lots of potential for luscious flavours, and a habit of ripening too fast. Perfect! This Yalumba FSW Botrytis Viognier 2023 is right in the zone though – a lovely, luscious style that I really enjoyed. Tinned peach and apricot, but it’s not overtly Viognier-y. In other words, none of the apricots-left-in-the-fruit-bowl-too-long vibe. There is quite a bit of botrytis ‘grey’ aromas on the nose and palate, but it’s not grubby – the sea of stonefruit through the middle solves that. It’s not a heavy wine (like a Sauternes), although not strictly complex either. Just very tasty.

THE VERDICT

• Best drinking: now
• Score (out of 20): 18
• Score (out of 100): 93
• Alcohol %: 10.5
• RRP (in $AUD): 30
• Winery website: ttps://www.yalumba.com
• Would I buy it?: yes