d’Arenberg Hermit Crab 2008

Posted on November 9, 2009 by RJ

d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, The Hermit Crab 2008 The nose features a combo of the herbaceousness that we can find with Marsanne and the overt peaches that we often see with Viognier. The mouth shows us an oily richness overtop of peaches – thick and mouth-filling.

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Tasted again in June 2010 the signature characteristics of the grapes carry on very nicely.

This vintage is composed of 72% Viognier and 28% Marsanne. Grown, vinified and bottled under Stelvin in McLaren Vale 13.5% $12.49 at Bottle Barn

Follow this link to the homepage: d’Arenberg

Follow this link to visit with the very colorful crab in motion:

The Hermit Crab

About RJ

Ray Johnson is the Executive Director of the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. He writes about food and wine, his travels and the business of wine. He makes his home in Sonoma County, California.
This entry was posted in Australia, Marsanne, McLaren Vale, Rhone Blend, South Australia, Viognier. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to d’Arenberg Hermit Crab 2008

  1. Shae Cooney says:
    November 10, 2009 at 9:10 am

    Nice review Ray. d’Arenberg also make some stunning single varietal wines with white Rhone grapes – The Last Ditch Viognier & The Money Spider Roussanne…definitely worth checking out!

  2. Ray says:
    November 11, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    I’ll second that. I had a chance to visit the winery when I was studying at Adelaide. It’s amazing when you think they must be making more wines in a single vintage than 10 Bordeaux producers combined – well that might be an exaggeration. RJ

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