2007 d'Arenberg Hermit Crab Viognier-Marsanne

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2007 The Hermit Crab is a blend of 58% Viognier and 42% Marsanne. It received a dollop of oak for a rounder texture. The alluring aromatics offer floral notes, candle wax, and pit fruits. Smooth-textured and ripe, the wine also has excellent depth and length. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years." Last year, the 2006 made The Wine Spectators Top 100 list, and I'm here to tell you now, that I'll be amazed if it doesn't score as well and find it back on the list for the 2007. The wine is a blend of 58% Viognier (8% less than last year) and 42% Marsanne. The wine is fresh, bright and lifted with a bouquet that explodes from the glass with white peach, mango, honeysuckle, white flowers, almond and a mineral note. On the palate there seems to be even better focus and balance than the 2006, with a creamy buttery texture supported by good acidity. There is none of the oily, fat character that sometimes comes with Viognier, but rather a precise seamless blend of these two varietals. (Jim Chanteloup Aussie Wine Buyer) 89 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Yellow-gold. Waxy dried pit fruit and poached pear on the nose, with a dusting of talc and dried herbs; showing the marsanne more than the viognier today. Pliant pear and peach flavors become sweeter with air, taking a turn toward melon and tropical fruits. Stony and dry on the finish, which echoes the melon and peach qualities." (Sept/Oct 08)