d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2025

d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne is a fragrant, textural McLaren Vale white that sits neatly between richness and refreshment. White peach, nectarine and ripe pear meet orange blossom, lemon sherbet and fresh ginger, with melon, pineapple and gentle spice filling out the palate. Viognier supplies the perfume and generous fruit, while Marsanne adds citrusy definition and savoury depth. The name nods both to McLaren Vale’s limestone marine soils and to Hermitage, the Rhône home of Marsanne. Full of personality but very easy to pour, it is a natural fit for seafood, aromatic salads or lightly spiced Asian dishes.

What the winery says:

Small batches of Viognier and Marsanne are gently crushed and transferred to stainless-steel basket presses before a long, moderately cool fermentation designed to preserve their fresh fruit character. A small portion is wild fermented for complexity, while some of the Viognier spends time in seasoned French oak to build texture and support its subtle tannins. White peach, orange blossom, lemon sherbet and ginger lead into nectarine, pear, melon and citrus zest, with lively acidity, gentle spice and a long, mouth-watering finish.

What the experts say:

Ken Gargett, WinePilot, 93/100
“A deep gold/straw hue, the nose is delightfully fragrant with hints of apricot skins, stone fruits, ginger and lemongrass.”