This is a predominantly Balance & Finesse wine, but it shares structural nuances of Rich & Full as described in the tasting note below.
Tasting Notes
Full bodied with energetic acidity that offers a nice counter balance. There is ripe pear and peach fruit, slight bite of orange pith, ginger, honeysuckle, and mineral on the finish.
Body is the impression of a wines weight, density, or its ‘mouth-feel’. Some wines feel weighty, or full bodied, while others feel light bodied. Wine runs the gamut from light to full, with most falling somewhere in between.
ACIDITY
Low
Moderate
Balanced
Crisp
High
Acidity is a foundational component in wine. In fact, low acidity, or ‘flabby’ wine (as the term suggests) is a negative. You can sense acidity mainly on the sides of your tongue. Acidity generally ranges from balanced to high. Crisp acidity adds freshness, making your mouth water. Acidity is a necessary element and helps to balance other components.
SWEETNESS
Dry
Off Dry
Medium Dry
Medium Sweet
Very Sweet
Most wines are characterized as dry to off-dry, but there are some grape varietals, like Riesling, that run the gamut from dry to sweet. The tip of the tongue mainly detects sweetness, which is why it is often the primary characteristic detected. Sweetness is derived from residual sugar that did not ferment into alcohol.
ALCOHOL
14.1%
Alcohol is the by-product of fermentation. Differing grape varieties have differing potential alcohol levels, but regardless warmer areas result in riper grapes resulting in higher alcohol. Alcohol level is an objective number, but its affect on its palate impression is largely determined with how well integrated and balanced it is with other components.
Viognier almost went extinct in the 1960s, but has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. Although grown around the word, it is most famous for the full bodied intensely aromatic floral white wines with a sometimes oily texture grown on granite terraces in Condrieu, and small amount to Syrah in Côte Rôtie, just north of Condrieu, adding aromatic complexity.
Marsanne
39%Mar-SAN
Marsanne is principally a Rhone varietal (can also be found in the U.S. and Australia) that makes full-bodied wines with moderate acidity. However, it is often blended with Roussanne and Viognier, especially in the Northern Rhone, to make rich wines with floral aromatics.
D’Arenberg is one of the standard bearers for quality and sustainability in Australia. The estate is located in Mclaren Vale, is certified organic and biodynamic, uses solar power, and is also striving to mitigate waste and eventually become carbon neutral.
The results of natural practices are stronger, established root systems that yield the flavor of the site, increased structure, and an attractive minerality to match these fruit-driven wines.
d’Arenberg is one of the only wineries in Australia to basket press both white and red wines - a labor-intensive, old-school method that yields high-quality wines because it can be closely controlled and is a gentle extraction process.
Peach
Orange Peel
Honeysuckle
