This is the second of the two bottles I purchased for Wine Blog Wednesday #18, and of the two, this one exudes character. A great value at $7, this is definitely the way Viognier should be. The wine is produced in the Limoux region of the Languedoc in Southern France, and benefits from the limestone soils found in the area. It’s made in a very food friendly style, showcasing well balanced acidity, crisp fruit flavors, and an excellent finish.
Looking back at some previous posts, I must clarify some of the statements I’ve made about French wine. In the under $10 category, it’s the reds that suffer, not so much the whites. This Viognier is proof of that.
The Wine: 2004 Domaines Austruc Viognier, Malras, France 13% alcohol
Price: $7 USD
Notes: A bright straw color, hints of fresh pear on the nose with a touch of passion fruit and minerals on the palate, round and crisp, leading into a medium bodied finish, very good.
Score: 90pts