David Powell planted Viognier in 1994, with a view to emulating the great growths of Condrieu. Powell is enamoured of the beguiling Viognier, an essential component of his Shiraz flagships, it offers remarkable eloquence and great distinction when grown and crafted without compromise into a pure varietal wine. Only ever made in the finest vintage years and immediately recognizable as an exceptional wine, the white of choice to accompany Sauce au beurre blanc sur les poissons ou quenelles, garnitures à la financière ou quelque chose au pâte feuilletée.

An exclusively Viognier wine, crafted from the most superior quality fruit, harvested off five coddled rows of vine on the eminent Descendant property at Roennfeldt Road in Marananga. The articulation of fruit is the star, a minimalist, hands off approach to vinification is central to the integrity of the finished wine. Bunches are all individually picked at sunrise and basket pressed in an ancient milk shed which Torbreck have adapted for use as wineworks. Juices are kept cool and gravity fed directly to an extravagant selection of completely new French oak barriques. A long, slow natural fermentation on gross lees is followed by a single racking prior to bottling in December.