The Auswine Forum

...in another thread about viognier, again mention Tahbilk Roussanne as an Aussie alternative to viognier or the venerable marsannne. It's perhaps another of those polarising varieties but I'm interested in others' experiences of varietal roussanne, Aussie or otherwise.
E.G., are there any creditable NZ examples? What about France? I'm probably flogging a dead horse here, given the disdain accorded most viogniers unless they're labelled condrieu. But back to roussanne.............

daz

Only two other straight Aussie versions I have tried have been the Giaconda 'Aeolia' Roussanne and the d'Arenberg Money Spider. Not many around and not sure why. Have also tried Cape Mentelle's blend marsanne/roussanne blend from 2006 and that was a really good wine too for about $20 or so from cellar door.

cheers

Carl

I had a Giaconda Marsanne Rousanne some years ago that was absolutely divine. I can't recall the vintage as it was some five years ago but I'm sure there was "Deux" in the name. Highly recommended.

Cheers...........Mahmoud.

Daz

We pulled the cork on a beautiful roussane this evening with a steamed snapper. From the Northern Rhone, Yves Cuilleron, Saint Pierre, Saint Joseph AOC 2006. It was recommended by a wine shop where the owners are passionate about their wines and was a great selection. I believe it is an excellent benchmark for this variety of wine from the Rhone.

With a little age now, it has taken on a golden hue. On the palate it has lush red apple and melon flavour s. At 3 years it is much more full bodied and highly textured say compared to a riesling which also typically have similar red apple tones. The best way to describe it is to think of a well made chardonnay but give it an red apple note rather than the classic chardonnay flavours. RRP was up around $60 odd but I have also had some other excellent Northern Rhone roussanne for around $30. Personally I believe they are highly underrated and really enjoy them on a semi regular basis.

Mark

Have tried a few Giaconda Aeolia's, and my impressions are that it is a wine best young - at a year or two old. The older ones seem to go over into the harsher phenolic territory. Lovely wine when fresh.

Talking of viogniers, I've pretty much been in the "why bother with this variety" camp - however today's Xmas lunch we had a 2007 Yalumba Virgilius, and this blew my socks off - plenty of backbone & acidity, great mouthfeel, ample complex fruit notes, and a characteristic 'oily' touch to the texture, which can be offputting but in this case was fantastic.

Wait til you try the 08 Virgilius-definitely the best Virgilius, and probably one of the all time best in the country..The 07 and 08 seemed to have a quantum change in style. Gone are the old style, fat and oily Viogniers, and the 07/08's are just so refined yet powerful. None of the 'apricots on steroids' character which has probably done the variety a huige disservice in the past...
One mans opinion though...

Tim

Hi Daz

Yeringberg's 'white (Marsanne Roussanne) might also be worth a look. Also, keep an eye on the auction market - there's been some Condrieu in reasonable quantity recently. Both Yeringberg and Condrieu around the $40 mark.

Cheers

Allan