It was a sunny morning when we harvested for this wine, and you can taste the serenity in the bottle. 2009 was a lovely year for winegrowing — that is, until October 13 when an intense rain system in California punctuated the end of the vintage. This weather pattern prevented our usual block of Roussanne from reaching the maturity that we require for our wines, but the Roussanne in a neighboring block remarkably had avoided the perils. After two weeks of ensuing sunshine, a small amount of these grapes ripened to perfection and became our miracles of the vintage. This is a wine so strikingly complete as 100% Roussanne that it's the first time we've bottled Roussanne entirely on its own. Often we compose it with a little Viognier.
Tasting Notes
Rich notes of stone fruit, almonds, and herbal tea create a complex elixir. This wine has the signature glassy mouthfeel of Roussanne balanced with enlivening acidity that is not always present in Roussanne. Representative food pairings: trout amandine, pâté de campagne, or curries.
Other Details
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Harvest Date
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Oct 30, 2009
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Pre-Fermentation
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Fermentation Method
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whole-cluster pressed
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barrel fermented
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Fermentation Time
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Fermentation Temp
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11 days average
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67 F average
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Élévage
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Barrel Program
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8 months, sur lies
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French oak (12% new)
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Composition
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Final Alcohol
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100% Roussanne
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14.2%
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General Release
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Cases Produced
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Apr 19, 2011
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42
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View our list of 2009 wines
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