Roussanne

Saxum is one of my favorite wineries so no surprise, but this is outstanding.  It has really opened up since last tried reinforcing my belief that despite what some say, these big reds are best after ten years in a good cellar.  This is made from 79% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah and the rest Grenache, Mourvedre and Roussanne grapes.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, white pepper, roasted meats and slight violets.  On the palate, the texture is wonderful.  Velvety with excellent acidity.  Complex and layered, this unwinds in the glass.  And, it is delicious with black raspber

I love Rhone whites but they are a crap shoot.  Luckily, this was drinking quite well.  It was brought over by a friend who was invited to our home for dinner.  He will be invited back.  Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with minerals, wax but plenty of fruit; peach and guava and finally some honeysuckle and vanilla.  On the palate, this has a slightly oily texture.  The peach and vanilla predominate but it gets waxy on the finish.  Also a lovely underlying minerality.  Good acidity.  Someone mentioned white Burgundy, but I didn't get that.  Pretty classic ehite Rhone and wide open a

On a cold winter Sunday, after making a pot of Lentil Soup, this was opened and it was a perfect match.  St. Joseph Blancs are not all that common but this one is worth searching out (so are this producer's reds)!  Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with a bit of wax, but nice peach and slight tropical fruit.  Very clean.  On the palate, this comes across with a lot of acidity until the finish where it get's really turned up.  Nice creamy texture.  Some peach and slight bees wax.  Depth  For around $25, this was a great match.  

Gorgeous wine.  A blend of mostly Marsanne with some Roussanne.  Drinking great right now but Rhone white wines are always unpredictable.  Golden in color.  The nose has some peaches, wax with an herbal note floating above the rest.  Very nice.  It has a slightly oily texture with lots of body weight.  The peach notes carry thru to the palate.  Slightly orange citrus on the finish.  This will probably shut down at some point but then reopen and last for a couple more decades.  This will work with moderately hearty foods.  

2016 is a great vintage in the southern Rhone which makes it a really great vintage to stock up on Cotes du Rhone.  This is a white wine but should last for at least five years despite its $15 retail price tag.  Light green gold in color.  The nose has nice grapefruit with minerals.  On the palate, there is a nice tart acidity.  More peach than citrus.  Long finish.  Very food friendly.  Great value.  

One of the great white Rhone wines from California.  50% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 10% Vermentino, 10% Picpoul, 10% Marsanne.  Green gold in color.  The nose has slight limes with some citrus and slight wax.  On the palate, this has a wonderful plush texture with great crispness on the wine.  Deep and complex despite its youth, it unwinds in the glass.  Slightly oily.  Long finish.  Works with or without foods.  This will likely age well, but is so good now, I don't think it gets better, just different.  

This is drinking really well right now.  Light golden in color.  The nose is great with minerals, lemons, wax but also plenty of melon and tropical fruit.  On the palate, this has a nice cutting acidity.  Good melon and lemon fruit.  Long finish.  Very food friendly.  While still drinking youthfully, it it open for business.  It will probably start to show more signs of maturity in a few years but is delicious right now.  

This is a white Rhone blend of grapes; Rousanne and Viognier.  Golden in color.  This was served at red wine temperature which for me was ideal.  It really cut down on the acidity and brought out the aromatics.  YMMV.  The nose is really nice with candle wax, slight peach, floral notes and minerals.  On the palate, this is dry and full bodied.  A bit of honey nevertheless along with peach and vanilla.  Lovely texture.  Good finish.  This worked quite well with food.  There is a nice depth to this.  It drinks very "red" like.  

30% Rousanne, 25% Marsanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 15% Picpoul, and 10% Vermentino.  This is one of my favorite (mostly) Rhone white wines from Paso Robles.  Light golden in color.  The nose is really nice with peaches, slight canned peaches, a nice minerals streak, some vanilla candle and some lemon peel.  On the palate, this has a great oily texture.  Slightly viscous.  An excellent crispness.  Depth and complexity.  Do not serve this too cold as the complexity really comes out when the wine starts to get over 60F.  Peaches, lemons, and minerals.  Long finish.  Great with food.  

Light copper.gold in color.  The nose is gorgeous with almonds, candle wax and minerals.  With air, slight tangerine notes begin to emerge.  This is showing quite open right now.  Will it shut down for a bit?  Experience says yes, but who knows?  This is a bit riper or more open anyway than the 2012 consumed along with it.  More minerality with an interesting menthol/Eucalyptus note on the finish.  Oily texture.  Long finish.  This is young and tightly packed but has a nice complexity.