June 12, 2015 - Game over, I'm afraid. At least for this bottle. Was half off at AZ Wine Co and I just couldn't resist, even with the obvious risk on an older bottle. Figured it wasn't that old, and the pedigree meant a lot. Never occurs to me to ask "why do they want it out of their store so badly?" Someday I'll learn.
Anyway, you can more or less tell what was here a few years ago, but it's mashed up in oxidative and vegetal notes. Drinkable, maybe, but why? If you've got it, try it. If you're thinking of buying it, don't.
June 28, 2014 - Full bodied, dry, well balanced wine with tropical notes with nice acidity.
November 4, 2012 - Bright clarity and a light straw color. A very nicely balanced medium to full-bodied wine. The nose is floral with a little lemon peel and peaches. Medium acidity with pineapple and melon favors. An underlying sweetness that really shows itself when paired with some heat in a dish. Starting to fade a little so now is the time to enjoy.
July 25, 2012 - Color: pretty bright yellow with a slight green tint. Bouquet was positively singing on PnP at cellar temp (~58 degrees): honey, peach, some grapefruit with a little vanilla-toasted oak. Palate wasn't far behind the nose mirroring the peach and honeysuckle notes in a lovely medium bodied wine (and only 12.1% alcohol). Texture was silky smooth with a moderately long finish. In a beautiful place right now and I see no reason to defer gratification. Very Roussanne. Delightful. 93% Roussanne with 7% Viognier. 330 cases produced.
July 22, 2012 - Enjoyable. Again, a bit heavy. Enjoyed it slightly chilled.
January 8, 2012 - Expressive nose of tropical fruit, white flowers and spice. Bright body of pineapple cake, white peach, floral and spice notes. Medium plus finish.
August 11, 2011 - Enjoyable. Not the flavors I expect from a roussanne, but nice fruit, little oak. A bit heavy, but pleasant overall.
August 1, 2011 - Color: deep gold
Note: Denner still produces my favorite Rhone whites, but this is a close second. Mostly Roussane with a splash of Viognier, the nose offers up a perfumed cloud of honeysuckle, jasmine, pink rose, honey, white peach and chamomile with a waft of heat (though its only 12.1 ABV). Mouth has a nice opulence with a load of tropical fruits, more white peach and some persimmon. The finish brings on a bruleed element and favors vanilla bean custard with all those fruits piled on. Very nice, but pricey.
Try to set up an appointment for a private tasting. Tripp Donelan gave us one last year and it was low-key, no pressure and a lot of fun. Tripp and the whole Donelan clan are class acts.
August 1, 2011 - Dependably good, refreshing and restrained.
July 16, 2011 - Nice, restrained. Good stone, no acidity.