The best of the single vineyard fruit from Soumah's Hexham site, compared to the Single Vineyard Hexham Viognier, this Equilibrio sees more new oak (23%) and a small portion is fermented in clay eggs.
Viognier is a really cool variety but it appears to have an identity crisis. Many struggle to say its name which builds a wall, and because it is not that common, punters perhaps stick with what they know.
Yalumba has been the pioneer of the variety in Australia and it's great to see brands like Soumah making a good effort with it. Made well, it's a fabulous drink and this exemplifies that.
There is an inherent freshness that consumes you. It opens with canned apricot nectar and fresh apricots to set the scene thanks to their varietal genes. White fleshed stonefruit tucks in behind with almonds and raw cashews adding some nutty detail. Fine licks of ginger bread and vanilla lead to a fine spice drive on a respectable finish. It's a beautiful drink but I get a sense that it is the victim of the wet 2023 vintage and the fruit isn't expressing itself completely. Still, this will capture the hearts of more than a few. Moreover, I'd be curious to see how this develops with some bottle age.
Drink to five years+
93/100
Region: Yarra Valley
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