2023 Roussane from Calaveras - Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
The Roussanne varietal is an unsung gem for those seeking soft and tertiary wines; the 2023 Roussanne has a warm nose of sunflower, chamomile, custard, pollen, and cumin. As a varietal, Roussanne has a relatively low level of acidity, making it a favorite among consumers looking for a wine of moderate acidity. The palate tastes like a summer picnic, with notes of potato bread and honey crystal. The mouthfeel of the wine is soft like a down feather bed; consuming, but spacious. For food pairings I might opt for a sweet polenta, Indian dal, or soft cheeses.
In Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2023
Varietal
Roussanne
Appellation
Calaveras County
Harvest Date
September 13, 2023
Sugar
21.7
Acid
4.9 g/L
pH
3.45
Aging
5 months in barrels; 2 months in stainless steel
Bottling Date
June 27, 2024
Residual Sugar
0.1 g/L
Alcohol %
12.5
Wine Profile
Awards
2025 San Francisco Chronicle Gold Medal
Vineyard Notes
Clondaire Estate & Vineyard, SIP Certified; Calaveras County AVA
Production Notes
100% Roussanne
Winemaker Notes
Our first year with this fantastic varietal, originally intended to be the cornerstone of a white Rhone blend.
We sought a bright leaner style, rather than a dense and weighty wine. The grapes were hand-harvested
from the meticulously cared for Clondaire Estate & Vineyard at a modest sugar level and sturdy acidity,
which was an unusual gift for the Foothills with 2023 a cooler than normal growing year. The pressed juice was rapidly chilled and allowed to settle for several days before racking off to cold ferment over 30 days, slowly capturing the alluring aromatics.
We put the finished wine in mostly 4th use barriques, barrels chosen to elevate baking spice notes to bring nuance and complexity. We fell in love with the wine - it has pushed aside some of our favorites - and we choose to keep more as a single varietal release and less for the eventual Rhone blend!
- Mark Hoover