Winemaker Notes
The progression of Combe Trousseau has been a fun ride to experience in a very short time period: First came the light-bodied funkiness of 2014 and 2015 . The more elegant and complex 2016 stepped up the depth. The cohesive purity of 2017 then took the cake. The 2018 holds up the trend in packing pleasure and nuance into a fun, light-bodied red wine. Cherry Juice and a voluptuous mouthfeel - pure deliciousness. It seems we've gained a handle on this finicky varietal!
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
The Stolpman team is on the leading edge of the domestic fresh and bright red wine movement, and this may be the most symbolic example. Zesty aromas of framboise and anise lead into a snappy sip where fresh berries meet with slight herbs and mild spice. Editors’ Choice
Indigenous to the Jura region of France, Trousseau is an intensely hued red wine grape that can make powerful wines with aging potential. Parentage analysis shows that it is related to Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Savagnin. Though no one is certain how or why, Trousseau made a long journey west across France and the Iberian Peninsula well over 200 years ago to take a second home under the alias, Bastardo, in Portugal. It is also permitted in the production of Port. Somm Secret—Trousseau also goes by the names, Maturana Tinta, Merenzao and Verdejo Negro.
Accounting for only ten percent of the greater Santa Ynez AVA, Ballard Canyon’s north-south orientation provides an ideal pattern of sunshine and martime fog for producing excellent Syrah. While Syrah is planted to half of the total AVA acreage, an additional third is dedicated to other Rhône varieties, red and white.