Sandhill ‘Small Lots’ 2008 Osprey Ridge Vineyard Viognier

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The New Pornographers – Myriad Harbour

Summer is pretty much here!  Time for cheery white wines and catchy pop tunes.  I just had the chance to try the new vintage of this Small Lots Viognier the other day, and I think it’s Howard Soon’s best one yet.  There’s some nice honeyed-brioche on the nose that leads to ripe summery orchard fruits – peaches, nectarines, apricots – with a touch of cinnamon honey at the end.  It’s bright and approachable, yet lush and brilliant at the same time.

Kinda like this song.  (See how I did that there?) The Made-In-Vancouver “Supergroup”  The New Pornographers have, for over a decade now, been producing excellent, thoughtful pop music which combines the dreaminess and optimism of the ’60s with the well-crafted melodic and hook-y pop styles of the ’70s.  Destroyer‘s Dan Bejar takes the lead on this one, providing his signature warm, wooly vocals to Carl Newman‘s always-phenomenal songrwriting and arranging.  Throw in Neko Case‘s legendary harmonies, and -yes- they’ve knocked another one out of the park!

Both wine and song here are layered and complex with a lot to offer the discerning palate, yet bright and cheery, requiring nothing more than pure enjoyment and admiration.

The sun is finally out.  This is a good thing.