Aussies Turn Serious Wine into Serious Fun
The Taos News
January 10, 2015
by Molly Steinbach
“The region of McLaren Vale is another of Australia’s most celebrated regions, located just on the other side of Adelaide from Barossa Valley. Although it is mostly known for its red wines, some wonderful white wines can be found here, too. 2010 d’Arenberg Viognier-Marsanne McLaren Vale “The Hermit Crab” ($16.50) is named after the fossilized remains of one of the many sea creatures found in the soil of d’Arenberg’s vineyards. It is also a reference to Hermitage, a region in France’s northern Rhône Valley, where Marsanne is often grown. The nose is beautifully complex, with notes of coconut, vanilla, white pepper, green tomato, and an ethereal sea breeze (must be those marine fossils in the soil!). The coconut carries over onto the palate, which is weighty and velvety, with hints of pear tart and lemon curd.”