Product Description
95 points Decanter
"Delicate apricot and acacia aromas, creamy texture with peach, quince and delicate ginger spice towards the end. Notes of melon and juniper carry through on the long finish, with a pleasant mineral salinity."
92 points James Suckling
"Attractive fresh peaches and apricots really speak to the variety here, with a juicy and seamless palate that builds some handy texture and length. Orange blossom and spiced apricots to close."
91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"A blend of six vineyards, the 2017 Samuel's Collection Viognier boasts extravagant floral and apricot aromas that leap from the glass. It's a blend of barrel-fermented (in old hogsheads) and steel-fermented components that have a slightly creamy texture and layers of opulent fruit. It's a rich wine, but with sufficient balancing acidity to keep it refreshing and clean on the long finish. It should provide immense pleasure over the next few years."
91 points Wine & Spirits
"If you’re looking for something to pour with your veal chop, this wine’s ripe peach and pear-like juiciness would be a refreshing match. There’s some tannic structure to take on the meat, and a clean spice that lasts, ready to meld with food. It’s firm, juicy and rich, an example of Louisa Rose’s talent and expertise with viognier."
90 points Wine Enthusiast
"Samuel’s Collection is the newest range in Yalumba’s vast stable of wines, and thus far it has proven itself with a gaggle of solid, characterful and affordable wines. The Viognier doesn’t disappoint. A heady nose of lemon-lime, orange peel, stone fruit, honey and flowers, with an underlying mineral note that adds a little complexity. The mouthfeel is slippery with lifted acidity, bright, concentrated fruit and a slight spiciness. The most complete wine in this brand’s Viognier range, ready to drink now."
Jancis Robinson
"Full screwcapped bottle 1,280 g. Blend of grapes from six vineyards, 60% barrel fermented in old hogsheads. Ambient yeast. Aged on lees for 10 months.
Smoky nose. Amazingly, although it is only ambient yeast, the nose reminds me of that characteristic Australian yeast of the 1980s! Is it lurking around in Yalumba's winery?! A little tight on the palate still. No hurry to drink this even though it is older than most Condrieus on the market. A very distinctive style of Viognier that is much tenser than most. Quite long. But there is real savoury Condrieu character here that opened up rapidly in the glass. With delicacy too. Well done! 16.5/20 points."
Vinous Reverie Notes
Yalumba’s Samuel’s Garden collection celebrates our direct lineage to Australia’s first vine plantings, some of which could be found in Samuel Smith’s garden 166 years ago. These wines demonstrate the diversity and quality of the Barossa. Yalumba has pioneered the growing and making of Viognier in Australia since 1980. We have had over 30 years of viticultural and winemaking experience working with this alluring variety. Vegan and vegetarian friendly. Tasting Notes: Apricot fruit aromas and flavours with long luscious texture and hints of orange oil to finish. Pure aromas reminiscent of fresh apricots, lifted ginger and fresh white flowers. The palate is long, rich and luscious, with intense stone fruit flavors finishing with an alluring citrus freshness. This wine will continue to grow and develop in the bottle, firstly showing enhanced apricots and spice, then after a couple of years developing honey flavors and toast complexity. Food Pairing: A wonderful food wine - try it with Moroccan Tajine with spiced cous cous.
