2020 Truchard Roussanne

Community Tasting Notes (7) Avg Score: 90.3 points

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  1/17/2023 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Russet - Not the Potato
  
  Look up the grape varietal used in today’s wine and you’ll find that the grapes themselves are considered “russet” in color. It is a dark brown color with a reddish-orange tinge. As a tertiary color, russet is an equal mix of orange and purple pigments. It is also likely the root of the grape Roussanne. Today’s wine is the:
  
  Truchard Vineyards Roussanne 2020
  
  Known primarily for its use in wines from the Rhone Valley in France, the grape can now be found in many other countries, including the United States; albeit only 15 to 20 wineries. That makes this wine in a class by itself for that reason.
  
  Since 1973, the Truchard estate has grown to 400 acres, of which 280 acres are either sustainably (80%) or organically (20%) grown and exclusively in the northeastern area of the Carneros region, situated exclusively in Napa Valley.
  
  Their Roussanne endeavor started with cuttings from another well-known winery in the Paso Robles region, Tablas Creek, with their first vintage in 2000. The fruit is whole cluster pressed and fermented in French oak barrels (20%) new. After fermentation, the wine remains in barrel for 6 months. Partial malolactic fermentation (30%) allows the wine to retain its natural acidity.
  
  I’ve had this wine before, and although it has been a while, I remember it to be a wine of elegance and style; this vintage was no exception. The wine brought forth an array of flavors, that of almond and stone fruit along with citrus elements in combination with bracing acidity, making this a wine that was hard to put down. My dinner of Salmon resting on a Cucumber Salad was a perfect “dynamic duo.” I bet you thought I was going to say the Salmon was resting on “russet” potatoes! Ha, wrong!
  
  Whatever the namesake of the grape, you can rest assured that this wine brings with it its own unique personality and one that you should investigate further.
  
  Cheers

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  5/30/2022 - 33Bob wrote: 91 Points

  Delicious white wine with medium acidity and flavors of pears and honey.

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  4/29/2022 - Deegie Likes this wine: 89 Points

  This is the wine that made us fall in love with Truchard. Partial malo leaves it crisp but rounded. Heavy lemon on the nose. Interesting mix of citrus, nectarine, and pineapple flavors on the palate with a moderate hit of oaky vanilla. I’ll try another bottle to confirm, but this isn’t the best vintage they’ve had recently. Still lovely though. Do not overchill this wine - it develops a bitter aftertaste when it’s too cold and some of the more exotic notes like lychee and a slightly waxy texture are totally muted.

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  2/21/2022 - Leinike Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Nice crisp white but more body than a sav blanc. More like a chardonnay. Really delicious.

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  11/25/2021 - kevrob822 Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Lovely full bodied white wine. Had this with our Thanksgiving dinner.

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