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We are located in the heart of Melbourne and stock a range of specialty wines.
We also have access to more than 5000 fine wines from around the world through our local supplier network. Sometimes a vintage changes, or our suppliers sell out of stock without us yet being able to push through a timely update on our website.
If you would like to confirm stock levels before placing your order, please contact us here. Alternatively, if products are unavailable you will be informed in a reasonable time and we will process a refund/replacement for you.
Head Wines The Contrarian Viognier 2021
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Critic reviews
Critic reviews
The Wine Front – An homage to Chateau Grillet, which is pretty much the wine I drink one bottle of each year to fill out my yearly viognier consumption. Great texture here, floral and fresh, citrusy and then a little greasy, creamy character too. Variety on song, you could say. Freshness, chewy yeasty notes, prettiness and yet a stern grip. Restrained stone fruit and lots of minerality and subtle savoury notes. The Wine Front, 6 May, 2021
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Seen it Cheaper?
We strive to offer the best prices on over 5000 wines. If you've seen this product cheaper elsewhere, please message our dedicated price match service line to see if we can do you a better deal.
Vintage Vigilant
Vintage Vigilant
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Returns and Warranty
Returns and Warranty
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
The Wine Front – An homage to Chateau Grillet, which is pretty much the wine I drink one bottle of each year to fill out my yearly viognier consumption. Great texture here, floral and fresh, citrusy and then a little greasy, creamy character too. Variety on song, you could say. Freshness, chewy yeasty notes, prettiness and yet a stern grip. Restrained stone fruit and lots of minerality and subtle savoury notes. The Wine Front, 6 May, 2021
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Head Wines The Contrarian Viognier 2021
Description
Description
"Each vintage I like to express the Barossa in a contrary manner. ‘The Contrarian’ is my indulgent, creative winemaking outlet and challenges traditional concepts around Barossan wine. I have been working with Viognier for 16 years now and have always left other winemakers to bottle the wine. The main reasons are that I do not enjoy drinking the style that is put forward in Australia let alone Condrieu. On my second visit to Chateau Grillet in 2013 I decided I would one day ‘chase’ their style but would need to bide my time and create the opportunity. In 2020 I hand-picked a small batch from the highest altitude Viognier vines I could find. We processed and matured the grapes using what was a mix of older Grillet & Chablis techniques. We lost 1/3 of production to unacceptable aldehyde levels and bottled only 90 dozen. Ultimately this is a wine that will blossom with bottle age but if you need to drink it young please find some soft cheese, perhaps Brillat-Savarin to help with the high acidity." - Alex Head, Winemaker
| Type | White Wine |
|---|---|
| Varietal(s) | Viognier |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Barossa Valley |
| Brand | Head Wines |
| Vintage | 2021 |
Barossa Valley Wine
The Barossa Valley wine region has historically and currently still is one of Australia's most prestigious premium wine producing regions. Located just 60km north east of Adelaide city centre, the climate there is very hot and dry which is perfect for the big bold reds the area is famous for.
A straight Shiraz is what Barossa is most well known for, however Rhone blends, such as Shiraz Cabernet are also very popular. While much less prevalent, white wines (Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon) are planted on the higher altitude hillsides where the ocean breeze cools temperatures down to a level suitable for producing these varieties as well.
Some of Australia's earliest Shiraz plantings can be found here dating as far back as the 1850's. While not always a guarantee of quality, it might be worth seeking out and trying one of the region's "old vine shiraz" if you haven't yet.
