Last But by No Means Least. (D’Arenberg The Last Ditch Viognier)

Member Name: helencb

Product:	D’Arenberg The Last Ditch Viognier
Date:	12/04/06 (98 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quality brand,

Disadvantages: too oaky for me, hard to get hold of

If I had to name a single vineyard as my favourite in terms of the quality of the wines it produces then for me that vineyard has to be D’Arenberg Estates. D’Arenberg is situated in the equally delightful McLaren Vale region of South Australia 40 km and within an easy reach of Adelaide. The winery has existed at this site for some 92 years and is now being run by the fourth generation of its founder family.

D’Arenberg uses small batch processing to produce its wines, and while they are internationally available, many of its ranges are extremely difficult to get hold of. One of the best suppliers for the entire range is oddbins.com and independent stores such as Valvona and Crolla have some lines.

The Last Ditch 2003 Viognier (Vee-on-yay) is a relatively new wine in the range affectionally known together with the delightful (and in my opinion slightly superior “Money Spider” Roussanne and the more widely spotted “Hermit Crab” Marsanne Viognier, as the “Great White Hopes”. I must admit that the slightly higher up the price range you go with the range the more enjoyable the taste, I am not as keen on the widely sold Olive Grove Chardonnay for example, but the £22 a bottle Dead Arm Shiraz is a wonderful experience.

D’arenberg wines are also noted by their unique sounding names as the above examples show, and in their red varieties my falvourites are the Laughing Magpie, Dead Arm Shiraz, and Feral Fox. No bottle of d’arenberg comes without the story on the back of how the wine got its particular name. The Last Ditch Viognier is so named because it is planted in the gully at the edge of the vineyard alongside Pedlers Creek and known by staff as the Last Ditch.

Viognier grapes are relatively new to Australia and are more difficult to grow than other varieties although worth the effort for the result. The grapes are brighter green than say sauvignon grapes and produce higher alcohol content. Viognier grapes were at one time unique to the Rhone area but are available further afield, however not all viognier wines are making good use of the grape.

Most of the D’Arenberg range is recognisable by their classic labelling and distinctive red stripe which crosses the label (rather like the Mumm champagne label). The Red Stripe range of D’arenbergs are all screw top wines, not sealed with a cork, avoiding the chances of getting a corked bottle.

And onto the taste and experience. The wine itself is a fairly deep straw yellow colour due mainly to the fact it is aged in French oak for two months before the bottling process.

I think it will appeal to anyone who likes the oakier chardonnay ranges. This is certainly a heavier wine and as such can be enjoyed with most foods including red meat.

I havent completely done this bottle justice as it is not quite at the ideal temperature for serving (too keen to try it!). However the initial taste and aroma is of a peachy nature and rich and complex. It has an extremely long lasting palate and can be quite spicy but the long finish seems to culminate in a licorice flavour which is apparent many minutes after taking a sip.


Alcohol 14.5% vol. Oddbins price £8.49 per 750ml bottle. D’Arenberg Cellar Door open for tastings and purchases of their entire selection and cleanskins. And a delightful restaurant if you are ever in the area.

Drink now or cellar for 2-5 years. Rated four stars by me, (and the Good Wine Guide 2004). I knock off one star because it’s a bit too complex and oaky for my tastes while still enjoyable.

Summary: Enjoyable Wine, but chill appropriately to maximise your enjoyment