There’s not a huge amount of Roussanne grown in Australia. Given its success in the Rhone Valley and southern France one wonders why. With its cashew accented peachy fruit, Roussanne offers a wonderful alternative to Chardonnay, especially when paired with food. I can’t think of a better white wine to enjoy with a simply roasted chicken.
The excellent and varietally correct 2010 Roussanne from Michael Hall (not to be confused with Anthony Michael Hall of 'Weird Science' and "Breakfast Club' fame), grown at Kalimna in the Barossa Valley, demonstrates just how well Roussanne performs in Australia. This is an intelligently made wine, fermented in barrel with wild yeasts prior to spending a further 11 months in wood (10% of which is new) on lees. It is a wine, and a producer, that is well worth seeking out.
2010 ROUSSANNE
Producer: Michael Hall
Variety: Roussanne
Vintage: 2010
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
ABV: 12.9%
Closure: Screw cap
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $29.99
Date tasted: 9 December 2011
Tasting Note:
Straw yellow. Bright nose of melon, yellow peach and cashew is followed through on the palate, which is medium bodied and well poised. The use of oak is well judged and fully integrated. This is a lovely food friendly expression of Roussanne that captures the essence of the variety. Although offering plenty of pleasure now, it should blossom in bottle over the next 3-4 years. Enjoyed with Pumpkin Risotto. Would be divine with a Sunday roast chicken.
Score: 17.5/20
The excellent and varietally correct 2010 Roussanne from Michael Hall (not to be confused with Anthony Michael Hall of 'Weird Science' and "Breakfast Club' fame), grown at Kalimna in the Barossa Valley, demonstrates just how well Roussanne performs in Australia. This is an intelligently made wine, fermented in barrel with wild yeasts prior to spending a further 11 months in wood (10% of which is new) on lees. It is a wine, and a producer, that is well worth seeking out.
2010 ROUSSANNE
Producer: Michael HallVariety: Roussanne
Vintage: 2010
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
ABV: 12.9%
Closure: Screw cap
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $29.99
Date tasted: 9 December 2011
Tasting Note:
Straw yellow. Bright nose of melon, yellow peach and cashew is followed through on the palate, which is medium bodied and well poised. The use of oak is well judged and fully integrated. This is a lovely food friendly expression of Roussanne that captures the essence of the variety. Although offering plenty of pleasure now, it should blossom in bottle over the next 3-4 years. Enjoyed with Pumpkin Risotto. Would be divine with a Sunday roast chicken.
Score: 17.5/20
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