Massena The Surly Muse Viognier 2012
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Robert
Parker
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 The Surly Muse Viognier reveals notes of fresh peaches and pears over hints of honeysuckle, lemongrass and white pepper. Medium-bodied with a nice creaminess to the texture and plenty of stone fruit and citrus flavors lifted by racy acid, it is finishing with good persistence. Drink it now to 2015.
Other Vintages
2010-
Robert
Parker
We have dedicated growers in the North Western Barossa areas of Greenock, Kalimna and Koonunga Hill, providing fruit from dry farmed, low yielding vines up to 120 years of age. While we work mostly with traditional Barossa varieties Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro from these growers, we are also trialling new varieties such as Durif, Barbera, Dolcetto, Roussanne, Saperavi and Tannat.
Full-figured and charmingly floral, Viognier is one of the most important white grapes of the northern Rhône where it is used both to produce single varietal wines and as an important blending grape. Look for great New World examples from California, Oregon, Washington and cooler parts of Australia. Somm Secret—Viognier plays a surprisingly important role in the red wines of Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône. About 5% Viognier is typically co-fermented with the Syrah in order to stabilize the color, and as an added benefit, add a subtle perfume.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.