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A Unique Twist in the Chateau Gali Viognier

 

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The Chateau Gali Viognier is not a new wine. It’s been around for a few vintages now. But it’s not easy to get so this is the first time I’ve been able to review it! Unlike the winery’s other wines, the Viognier, its only white, is usually available only from the winery directly. Sometimes you get lucky and find it in boutique wine shops. Which is where I scored mine (Santé Wine & More). But I think I got the last one! I’ve also seen it at Casa Botti and Grape Wine Boutique though. 

At the point where the head Gallipoli Peninsula, Hakan and Nilgün Kavur found a little slice of Heaven for their vineyards. They sit on the highest elevation in the Doğan Arslan district and all vines are planted on the slopes that run down towards the sea. With nothing else surrounding them the vineyards not only offer magnificent views of the Aegean and Marmara seas, the Dardanelles, and the Gulf of Saros; but also take advantage of winds blowing from the Marmara and Aegean seas. Clay soil rich in limestone, magnesium, and iron make the terrain extraordinarily fit for wine production.

Viognier has gained some popularity in Turkey over the last handful of years. While the number of wineries using it remains low, and the number using it for varietal wines even lower, getting Viognier here does not present a huge challenge. Quality is generally high with variations of how varietally true to character based on region and winemaker. Within this quality bell curve, the Gali Viognier is distinct.

Chateau Gali Viognier, 2020

The wine poured a medium, golden hay with pear and bruised apple, daisy, hay, and freesia aromas. On the palate it was medium-bodied with moderate alcohol (13%) and nice acidity. It showed a lot of freshness with crunchy quince, newly pressed apple juice, and a splash of Rangpur lime all framed with a appealingly floral tone.

Now, where this distinguishes itself from other Turkish Viognier … the shimmering vein of minerality that wrapped itself around the wine’s otherwise fruity-floral character.

Does that make it better than other Viognier? No. But it makes it unique. And really very moreish.