Black Stump Reserve Shiraz Viognier 2007 - Laithwaites

Having found the Laithwaites wines I have tried so far to be a bit hit-and-miss, I was really not entirely sure what to expect from this Laithwaites Aussie Shiraz Viognier that came in one of my mystery cases.

Let's start by saying this wine does not score any points for subtlety and restraint - everything is turned up to 11 - and then some ...

With rich bramble fruit, vanilla and a hint of truffleyness on the nose, on the palate shows intensely fruity, jammy, sweet blackcurrant, spice, eucalyptus and mint, pencil shavings, vanilla and more truffley earthiness from oak aging. On the finish, it has smooth, silky tannins and length.

But I would prefer rather more restraint to consider seriously buying again.

We had this wine with a starter of mixed antipasti followed by linguine with chicken in a tomato and rosemary sauce, but the intense fruit rather overwhelmed the food and makes this a rather difficult match.

Links
Black Stump Reserve Shiraz Viognier 2007 at Laithwaites - http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/DWBase/jsp/templates/article/productDetails.jsp?productId=prod502368