Got a little gold sticker, this wine does. Gold Medal at the New Zealand International Wine Show. That’s actually a real wine show. In fact, it’s New Zealand’s largest so that little sticker holds some credence. Not bad for a wine that’ll leave you enough change to buy a packet of chips.

d’Arenberg, The Hermit Crab, Viognier Marsanne, McLaren Vale, 2014

4% wild fermentation for extra complexity. 14% of the Viognier fermented in aged French and American Oak. The Viognier and Marsanne components “received similar treatment, but are not blended until the final stages of the winemaking process.”

Nose of lifted stonefruits, struck match, just turned compost heap, apricot skin/fuzz, tennis ball fur and some light jersey caramel oak sweetness. Easy palate with apricot, yellow apple, tonic water bitterness, ginger spice and a decent amount of natural grip from the grapes. Well balanced, with just enough body to prevent this from being flabby or overdone. Very good value.

RRP: $15

Alc: 13.1%

Wine sample courtesy of d’Arenberg