2002 Roussanne Grapes

When deciding at what stage to harvest the Roussanne, the goal is to match the sugar content, acidity and phenolic maturity of the grapes. 

Domaine Sainte Rose harvested the Roussanne on the 11th of September with the grapes registered at 14.5 Baumé and had an acidity content of 4.4 grams/litre H2S04.  The quality and health of the fruit was appropriate for the age of the variety and the soil in which it is planted.  This is the first year that grapes have been harvested from these young vines.  As a consequence the yield was very low (20 hectolitres per hectare). 

Harvesting commenced early in the evening and continued through the night to ensure the grapes were picked at a cool temperature thus ensuring that the fermentation process did not begin until the desired moment.  Fermentation occurred once the grapes were safely in a temperature controlled environment.

This year the 2002 Roussanne will be blended with Chardonnay to make a Domaine Reserve white blend.  The Roussanne, with its powerful, greasy characteristics, will be blended with a crisp, fresh, unoaked Chardonnay to make a very complex and unique Domaine Reserve blend. 

In addition, a very small quantity will be used to create a noble, desert wine (only 50 cases will be available).  In order to create this wine the juice will be partially fermented, leaving some residual sugar, and then oak aged to add complexity.

Domaine Sainte Rose produced 2 Roussanne based wines from the 2002 Vintage:

Le Vent Du Nord-  A unique blend of Roussanne  and Chardonnay.

The Noble Simpson- Barrel fermented and oak-aged Roussanne that was stopped short of full fermentation allowing a small amount of residual sugar to remain.

The Roussanne, picking commenced in the early evening.	An empty bin waiting to be filled.	A bin full of Roussane.