Wasn't planning on opening this one just yet, but noticed a bulging capsule, and wine slowly seeping out the top! Cellared since release, and my oldest and last Roussanne left. The wine...darker metallic amber color with a beautiful oily sheen to it...the nose is AWESOME! Classic aged Alban Roussanne...sautéed apricots, exotic honey butter, petrol, wood smoke, lemon zest, hot buttered rum spice, walnut oil. First sip was like drinking an aged Sauternes...sweet and ripe oily fruit...yet there is a killer snap of citrus(lemon/tangerine) acid that totally freshens the rich fruit...and ample crushed earth and stones that salt and dry it up wonderfully, creating a nice balance of the rich fruit to dryness. Creamy smooth and mouth coating...little waxy, great length. SO complex and engaging...with exotics of dried tobacco, roasted nuts, apricot marmalade, match strike reduction...pretty dried fruit and flower florals. Not all perfect though, as there is some bitterness and oak char detected...not offensive. Just love how the bottle was leaking, the color looks over the hill oxed...yet this wine is fresh as a daisy and totally what I would expect from a 21 year old Alban Roussanne! Congrats Rhone Master!
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wasn't sure what to expect from this older roussanne. color was dark, darker than i would have thought, but i don't drink older roussanne. nose was muted at first but then opened with heavy floral notes a just a bit of fruit. just a little better with time in the glass. palate was just ok. not much coming thru. finish was too short. if not for food, a lower rating in order. food really helped this wine and brought out a little more of everything - nose, palate and finish. imho if u have any, drink now.
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Dark bronze color. Rich spicy nose of apricot, match strike, hazelnut oil, honey butter. Rich and ripe in the mouth....drinking "classic"! Apricot, pear, fig fruit, spiced up with exotic smoked wood, honey butter, dried tobacco, butterscotch creme. Still taught with mineral citrus acidity...yet creamed up nicely with well integrated earth tones and smoky wood. Nothing wrong with this 2000 Alban...drinking proper and tasty!
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Interesting bottle of wine - caramel color with a slight green tinge. Initially, whiffs of peach and lemon. The palate is full-bodied and sweet, with notes of honey and of light oakiness. The finish has a metallic sour note which detracts despite the length.
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2/17/2021 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wasn't planning on opening this one just yet, but noticed a bulging capsule, and wine slowly seeping out the top! Cellared since release, and my oldest and last Roussanne left. The wine...darker metallic amber color with a beautiful oily sheen to it...the nose is AWESOME! Classic aged Alban Roussanne...sautéed apricots, exotic honey butter, petrol, wood smoke, lemon zest, hot buttered rum spice, walnut oil. First sip was like drinking an aged Sauternes...sweet and ripe oily fruit...yet there is a killer snap of citrus(lemon/tangerine) acid that totally freshens the rich fruit...and ample crushed earth and stones that salt and dry it up wonderfully, creating a nice balance of the rich fruit to dryness. Creamy smooth and mouth coating...little waxy, great length. SO complex and engaging...with exotics of dried tobacco, roasted nuts, apricot marmalade, match strike reduction...pretty dried fruit and flower florals. Not all perfect though, as there is some bitterness and oak char detected...not offensive. Just love how the bottle was leaking, the color looks over the hill oxed...yet this wine is fresh as a daisy and totally what I would expect from a 21 year old Alban Roussanne! Congrats Rhone Master!
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1/8/2009 - jc-mmb wrote: 87 Points
wasn't sure what to expect from this older roussanne. color was dark, darker than i would have thought, but i don't drink older roussanne. nose was muted at first but then opened with heavy floral notes a just a bit of fruit. just a little better with time in the glass. palate was just ok. not much coming thru. finish was too short. if not for food, a lower rating in order. food really helped this wine and brought out a little more of everything - nose, palate and finish. imho if u have any, drink now.
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5/4/2007 - trankin wrote:
Hospice du Rhone; 5/3/2007-5/6/2007 (Paso Robles, CA): Gorgeous
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4/15/2007 - Mrbuzz wrote: 94 Points
Dark bronze color. Rich spicy nose of apricot, match strike, hazelnut oil, honey butter. Rich and ripe in the mouth....drinking "classic"! Apricot, pear, fig fruit, spiced up with exotic smoked wood, honey butter, dried tobacco, butterscotch creme. Still taught with mineral citrus acidity...yet creamed up nicely with well integrated earth tones and smoky wood. Nothing wrong with this 2000 Alban...drinking proper and tasty!
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1/4/2007 - nomadfromcincy wrote:
Interesting bottle of wine - caramel color with a slight green tinge. Initially, whiffs of peach and lemon. The palate is full-bodied and sweet, with notes of honey and of light oakiness. The finish has a metallic sour note which detracts despite the length.
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