Dromana Estate, Shiraz Viognier 2005, Mornington Peninsula ($22)

At $22 probably at the top end of what can tenably called 'everyday drinking' wine - and I'm not sure many would go as high up as $22. Nonetheless this is good quaffing stuff drinking straight from the bottle without the need to air. Inevitably I would compare this with the $9 Yalumba Y series shiraz viognier and the $16 Innocent Bystander offering. Certainly Dromana's has better balance that Yalumba's and less acidity making it more pleasant. And it has less tannin than Innocent Bystander's offering meaning it does not require airing. The bouquet was not strong, but the mouthfeel was nice, thick and rounded in all areas in that way you would hope a shiraz viognier would be. We drank this in Dromana's restaurant so at $22 a good price for a bottle. A safe crowd pleaser.