Mitchelton Airstrip 2010

The Airstrip is a trio blend that in its turn, is part of a trio. It is a blend of Marsanne, Roussanne & Viognier with its heart in the French Rhône region but its feet, or should it be landing lights, in the centre of Victoria. It also has two Rhônish siblings -the Parish (Shiraz and Viogner) & Cresent (Shiraz blended with Grenache & Mourvedre).  While Marsanne is not new to Australia, there is 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 & 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 & 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 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.

Date: May 2012   Price:  $26    Value:  $$     Drink: Now

Note: Review first published on Wine Diva June 2012