2018 Venusa Bianco

The 2018 Venissa Bianco has a delicate nose of dried apricot, honey, spicy ginger and beeswax. There are also darker, savoury, sandalwood and wood bureau aromas. The wine always seems to be both savoury and fruity as the saline, mineral notes mingle with rich yellow plum and dried peach fruit flavours. The texture is lightly oily, silky and a touch more textured and phenolic on the finish. There is impressive density and depth too. The Dorona grape variety is so unique it’s difficult to describe. It has the oily texture of Viognier but is much less heavy in the palate and the aromatic subtlety and vibrant freshness of a late-picked dry Chenin or even Savagnin. It is serious and savoury. The distinct briny, saline, mineral notes add freshness and complexity to the long finish.