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CHEESE PAIRING:
Goat
Gruyere
Crottin
Provolone
Jarlsberg | |
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One of the main white varietals grown in the Rhone region of France, Roussanne is another grape whose acreage was dwindling fast due to lack of popularity and its difficulty in the vineyard. New clones and interest by California's Rhone Rangers (winemaker's that specialize in grapes from this region) have brought it back from the brink. While not quite ready for its close-up, instead of being merely a blending grape, Roussanne is beginning to be noticed for it's own distinct characteristics and showing up more, especially in CA and Washington, all by itself in the bottle. It's still challenging to grow, which is reflected in its' rarity and the price of most bottlings ($20+), but is gaining quite a foothold in the Central Coast of California, as an elegant alternative to Viognier and Chardonnay. Fresh and lively when young, it also has the ability to age well for 7-8 years. If someone's going to bother making wine from this grape, it'll be worth its' price tag.
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WHAT TO EXPECT: A medium to full-bodied wine with intense aromas of green fruit (ripe apples and pears), citrus, flowers and herbs. As it ages it becomes more honeyed and nutty. Not as acidic as most whites, the mouthfeel is generally soft and round. A wine that goes really well with food and one that only gets better with age. Unlike most white wines, it generally reaches its' stride between 4-7 years old.
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 | 2009 Cass Winery Roussanne, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2008 Cass Winery Roussanne, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2007 Edward Sellers Roussanne, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Nadeau Family Vintners Roussanne, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Herman Story Roussanne, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Jean-Louis Denois "Les Oliviers" Roussanne, Vin de Pays d'Oc, France | RATING: * |
| 2006 Stolpman Vineyards L'Avion, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2005 Rio Seco Vineyards Roussanne, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
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**** Outstanding | *** Delicious | ** Enjoyable | * Drinkable
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