Winemaker Notes
This white varietal has been traditionally associated with the Northern Rhone, where it is blended with Marsanne to make white Hermitage wines. In 1998, three acres of Roussanne were planted on the southern end of the Truchard Estate Vineyard. Floral aromas of pineapple, honeysuckle, and jasmine with highlights of brioche and vanilla. The mouth is crisp, with clean flavors of fresh pear, honeydew melon and apricot. Bright acidity provides a lengthy finish of citrus, mineral, and spice.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Stone fruit, lemon confit, beeswax and honeysuckle on the nose. The palate is nicely balanced, with a midweight mouthfeel and slight phenolic grip. There’s a lovely core of fruit here, with intensity and purity. Generous, fresh and varietal.
Full and silky in body but also charmingly crisp, Roussanne is native to the Rhône Valley of France. It is responsible for some of the finest Northern Rhône white wines. Roussanne adds richness and acidity to Marsanne’s soft, fruitiness, making age worthy and highly respected whites. Somm Secret—Roussanne takes its name from the French word, roux, meaning rouge or red because of the berry’s pink glow. In California, virtually all of the 339 acres of Roussanne come from true clones brought over by Tablas Creek and John Alban.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.