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 oussanne
2006 Renard Roussanne, Santa Barbara, Westerly Vineyard
What Chardonnay Wishes It Could Be!
This late-ripening variety sits in a warmer site of the relatively cool Santa Ynez Valley. The wine was initially fermented in tank to retain the purity of fruit, and was subsequently transferred to barrel, with 20% one-year-old French Oak barrels half-way through fermentation. The wine was protected from oxygen as much as possible during the latter stages of production - a measure that further preserves the fruit, typicity, and freshness that is the hallmark of great Roussanne. Prior to bottling, I blend in 5% Viognier to boost the apricot element.
Almond blossom, ripe nectarine, apricot, and honeycomb are apparent upon first sniff, balanced by a citrus-like freshness and mineral elements. A bright entry then builds force with ripe, honeyed stone fruit, melon, and mint. The wine manages to share elements of powerful fruit and an inherent structure of what I call white wine tannins. Framed with a flinty aspect and a miniscule marriage of sweet oak, this Roussanne carries great weight, finesse, and an alluringly long finish.
203 cases produced
$23 btl / $264 case
96 cases of half-bottles produced
$12 btl / $144 case
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