Fetish V Spot Viognier 2008
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Parker
Robert
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Viognier is a wine known for its floral aromas and is a versatile companion to food that is not traditionally wine-friendly. The highly aromatic and fruit forward nature of the grape allows Viognier to pair well with spicy foods such as Thai or Vietnamese cuisine. The subtle floral notes make it a perfect match for sushi and sashimi. Viognier also pairs well with many cheeses.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Viognier V Spot is light gold-colored with a nose of spring flowers, apricots, and white peach. On the palate it reveals a touch of oak, vibrant acidity, and racy flavors. Drink this outstanding value over the next two years.
Shortly after this initial release a new project came together, this time partnering with Wayne Dutschke to produce the "Field of Dreams" Barossa Moscato. This wine brought a new, and very different, facet of Australian winemaking into the Fetish portfolio. The distinctive blue bottle and colorful label contributed to the Fetish Wines theme of being consistently different.
2007 saw the second release of "The Watcher" Shiraz, which received an even greater reception in the USA marketplace than its initial release, and the introduction of "Playmates." An additional wine made for Fetish by Rolf Binder, "Playmates" is a Barossa Valley blend of Shiraz, Grenache, and Mataro with eye-catching black-and-white artwork. The second release of "Field of Dreams" Moscato will be available before the end of the year.
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.