Lark Hil Dark Horse Vineyard Viognier 2011

Lark Hill Dark Horse Viognier

Lark Hill Dark Horse Vineyard Viognier 2011
12.5%, Screwcap, $25
Source: Sample
www.larkhillwine.com.au

This is drawn from the Dark Horse vineyard in Murrumbatemen which the Carpenter family purchased just this year. From my understanding Dark Horse has long been a fruit source for Bryan Martin's overperforming Ravensworth wines, so the provenance is assured.

If anything this is a rather slender expression of Viognier, kicking off with a tight, gingery and citrussy nose that blind you'd be hard picked to call as a Viognier. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I think I'd prefer to see a little more varietal distinction. It comes through more on the palate though, a late hit of spicy, gingery apricot richness to fill the palate out a bit, even if it's something of a battle between that fruit and the slightly trill acidity before a quite long finish.

A svelte and quite elegant wine, I can see the clear intent and style here even if it didn't win me over. 16.8/89