Hans Herzog Estate - Marlborough Viognier

Viognier 2020

Regular price $65.00 Sale

Our iconic Viognier, featured in Michel Bettane’s ‘World Greatest Wines’ is a heady, explosive treasure with aromas of apricot, peach and tropical flowers. Full-bodied with significant weight and texture, finely balanced by acidity that provides a remarkable backbone to the wine. The pinnacle of handcrafted perfection.

Vintage 2020+

Viognier is a fickle grape variety with unpredictable yields and should be picked only when fully ripe (physiological ripeness). When picked too early, the grapes fail to develop the full extent of its stunning aromas. When picked too late or in hot climates, the grapes produce wine that is oily and lacks perfume. Grown on our warm sandy soil, together with the cool Marlborough nights reveal the full potential of the variety’s intoxicating aromatics. 2020 showed of with another perfect growing season including a long Indian summer to hand-pick healthy and intensely flavourful berries for our Viognier to weave its magic spell.

Hans' Winemaking Comments+

'The beautiful destemmed and partly crushed berries invited for an extended skins maceration to extract the dazzling flavours. Then gently pressed and transferred into 500 litre French oak puncheons for a natural (wild yeast) fermentation to express it’s terroir and sense of place, with no residual sugar. Its fine lees has been regularly stirred during the first six months, assisting to its remarkable silkiness, complexity and depth. The young wine enjoyed 18 month in the barrel to mature and flourish to a nectar of great enjoyment. No cold stabilization. Unfined and only lightly filtrated to retain the amazing aromas. Naturally beautiful…'

Tasting Notes+

Deep in colour. Head-spinningly rich, gold-brocade-shimmering quince and apricot fruit on the nose with an undertow of sweet spice and honeysuckle. A show stopping bouquet and explosion dripping with honey and exotic fruit, tamed by a lovely earthiness and a tantalizing and teasing fresh acidity. The rich mouthfeel leads to a sumptuous and long lingering finish with finesse. (March 2022)

Technical Data+
Variety     100% Viognier
Rootstock 101-14, RG
Vine Planted 1996
Soil  Shallow (<45 cm) well drained sandy, gravelly soil developed from stony alluvium.
Planting Density   5,500 vines/ha
Yield 3t/ha
Alcohol 14.32%
Residual Sugar  <0.75 g/l
Ageing Potential 7 years, but amazing in its youth
Bottles Produced 2,100
Food Matching Suggestions+

This bold wine with its heady aromas loves flavourful dishes. Try with a Ceviche or Asian flavoured cuisine. Perfect with any seafood and white meat (chicken, veal etc.).

Industry Reviews+

James Suckling - 94 points

'A clarity and brightness to this viognier with sliced peaches, dried mango, chalk and stone with some flint. It’s full-bodied with layers of fruit and character. Real varietal character. Slightly riper than the 2019.' Tasted March 2023

Sara D'Amato (Wine Align) 94 points

'A melt-in-your-mouth style of opulent viognier, very much in line with the quality you would expect from Condrieu. Tender rose, honeysuckle and mineral are all showcased on the highly perfumed nose. A pleasant vibrancy juxtaposes the satisfying fat on the palate that is characteristic of the variety. Low-yielding fruit and a long skin maceration contribute to mouthfeel and concentration. Maturation in 500 L puncheons on lees for 18 months adds further complexity. Highly memorable with excellent length. Tasted May 2022.'