Wines of the Month
2010 Mitchelton Airstrip Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier blend
Nagambi Lakes, Victoria
The Airstrip is a trio blend that in its turn, is part of a trio. It is a blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier with its heart in the French Rhône region; but its feet, or should it be landing lights, is in the centre of Victoria.
It also has two Rhônish siblings -the Parish (Shiraz and Viognier) and Cresent (Shiraz blended with Grenache and Mourvedre). While Marsanne is not new to Australia, there are some great Marsanne wines being produced in this region - a region that boasts one of the largest plantings of Marsanne outside of France.
A pretty wine like this with perfumed honeysuckle, pear and spice aromas lends itself to starting the pre-dinner conversation, with the fullness of body to lead into mains. Twenty percent of the blend was barrel fermented giving the wine complexity, texture and a creamy silkiness that calms the senses.
There is enough acid to keep the palate fresh making it a great companion for food, although it is a delightful wine to simply savour a glass or two. The perfume and elegant fruit weight is a good match for fresh garden herbs and fragrant Asian flavours.
Distribution: on-line, fine wine stores, restaurants and cellar door
Value: $26.00
© Lisa Johnston May 2012
Wine Diva Wines of the Month, June 2012
