2022 Mr. Riggs Sticky End Viognier Half Bottle 375ml, McLaren Vale

Late-harvest viognier from the estate vineyard pressed to oak, old and new, to ferment, then transferred to tank to stop the ferment with about 5 baume of sugar left, where it remained on gross less for six months. Sticky, yes, but not cloyingly so, with a burst of acidity in support of the luscious profile of oozingly ripe apricot, honeyed lemon tea and orange blossom water. It’d be apt with fruit-based desserts, but I fancy this is an even better foil for dolce gorgonzola with new-season walnuts. 

92 points Special Value Marcus Ellis winecompanion.com.au

Inspired by the Italian Passito style, Ben has crafted a fruit driven sticky with less botrytis characteristics and more of a typical Viognier character.

Indeed a fresh, fragrant style, crisp over the palate and sticky to the end! Carefully hand-picked into small crates and stacked to allow free air flow, the grapes were left for 3 weeks to dry out. Hence rack, stacked and wrinkled! These late harvested Viognier winegrapes were then crushed with care, pressed with panache and the juice joyfully let into French barriques (20% new) and left on lees for six months.

As the ferment approached perfect taste pitch, the process was stopped. Yes, you can feel the zest, taste the Tangerine, and mouth the Marmalade. A perfect sticky ending!