Yalumba FSW8B Botrytis Viognier 2012: a sweet treat for lunch at Angler,19 October

There’ll be no 1938 Rieslings on show when I host Sip & Savour’s Yalumba lunch at Michelin-starred fish-restaurant Angler on 19 October, but it will be a walk down memory lane. (Last week’s Yalumba 1938 Riesling review here).

This time I’m looking forward to lingering over Yalumba FSW8B Botrytis Viognier 2012 from Wrattonbully which I merely tasted (admittedly didn’t spit) on my recent visit to Wrattonbully. Especially since it will be paired with roasted plums, sable breton and lemon thyme ice cream. Here’s my tasting note:

Yalumba FSW8B Botrytis Viognier 2012

Lovely honeysuckle and camomile lift on the nose, which follows through on an exceptionally bright, dancing palate. A very pure, precise (think Deng Linlin) balance beam of acidity animates its intense concentration of honeyed apricots. Great line and length with an Olympian clean, controlled finish – terrific freshness.

I’m told there are still a few tickets left for the event – click here for details. This is the full menu, with wines:

Aperitif

2011 Yalumba Y Series Vermentino, South Australia

Starter – cured Loch Duart salmon, salad of crab & pickled ginger, peanuts and avocado purée

A Riesling head-to-head –

2012 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Viognier, Eden Valley

2007 Pewsey Vale ‘The Contours’ Riesling, Eden Valley

Main – roast cod, ragout of tomato, chorizo and white beans

White versus red challenge –

2012 Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier, Eden Valley

2012 Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache, Barossa Valley

Dessert – roasted plums, sable Breton, lemon thyme ice cream

2012 Yalumba FSW8B Botrytis Viognier, Wrattonbully