2007 Carneros Roussanne
Winery Exclusive Selection
 

The Vineyards
 Sourced from the ranch affectionately called “Green Acres,” in Carneros this Roussanne was conceived as our best attempt to make a White Rhone style. Because of it’s lighter soils and our judicious use of crop thinning, we’re able to tame it into making a more refreshing, earthier style of white wine. Roussanne is an important grape for both White Chateauneuf du Pape and producing the famed “White Hermitage” wines from Northern Rhone Valley. Here, we are expressing that California full fruit by fermenting in stainless steel tanks.

The Vintage
The 2007 vintage was ideal for white wine from Carneros with both low yields and a long, moderate growing season. The resulting fruit was unctuous and concentrated. We harvested this later ripening white on October 11 th , 2007, typically one week after Char don nay fully ripens.

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Winemaking:
After whole cluster pressing, juice was carefully racked off solids and fermented in stainless steel tanks with cold temperatures to build up lots of fruit and yeast esters. In order to preserve the crisp, fresh acidity, it was not allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. The wine was bottled with a hint of spritz, which accentuates the bright fresh fruit flavors and adds a sense of more acidity.
Winemaker's Notes
The pale straw color is typical of this varietal. It displays white peach, freshly cut green apple, with hints of white pepper and earthiness, showing it’s Mediterranean heritage. The flavor shows medium bodied, refreshing white peach fruit and hints of lemon zest. It finishes with enough acidity to frame the fruit and lingering spiciness. It is a wonderful white for warmer days with roasted summer vegetables or with frito misto. It my mind, it’s a great white wine for vegetarian dishes, because of it’s richness from the generous, California sun and its acidity, thanks to the Carneros fog. Pair the Roussanne with generous amounts of olive oil for an easy food match.
 
Mark R. Lyon, Winemaker
Technical Data
Appellation: Carneros Composition: 98.5% Roussanne; 1.5% Chardonnay
Cooperage: No oak. Alcohol: 13.4%
TA: 0.60 g/100ml pH: 3.40
Bottling Date: March 2008 Release Date: August 2008

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