Domaines Astruc Viognier

Had this initially as the starter wine to a tasting of 2004 Rhone whites. This little number more than held its own. I'm not a Viognier fan... it too often goes overly floral and blowsy or phenolic with lanolin notes. Well, there's none of that here. Flavors of apricot and pear are sharpened by notes of allspice and white pepper. Drunk at cellar temp, this belies its $8 price tag - I'd be fine if this had cost twice that. …