93 2007 Melville Estate Verna's Viognier 8/31/08 ($22)
15.5% alc
Color: Medium yellow gold. (3.0) Bouquet: Kiwi, honeysuckle and lots of spice. Forward and precise with elegance. (3.5) Body: Full-bodied heavyweight and very viscous. Rich, mouth-coating, oily texture. Well balanced. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet step-for-step. Delicious stuff!! with plenty of acidity to propel the fruit. (3.5) Finish: Long, paralleling the bouquet, but less distinctive at this point with a touch of bitterness. (3.0)
Overall: This is serious stuff!! with concentrated fruit and excellent acidity. A viscous heavyweight, yet has elegance. This should age beautifully (peak in 4-6 years?), but has excellent balance with so much delicious, young fruit that I wouldn't hesitate to drink it now. When I consider what $22 gets you in Chardonnay these days, this is not just a great value, it's Amazing!!(16.5)
Note: I've seen it going for as much as $30, but even at this price it's a great value, so don't hesitate.