2005 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 5th of September with the grapes registered at 12.9 Baumé and had an acidity content of 3.92 grams/litre H2S04.  The quality and health of the fruit was very good for this young vigorous variety.  This is the third year that grapes have been harvested from these young vines. 

Harvesting commenced late 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.

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 call Le Vent du Nord.

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 2005 Vintage:

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

The Barrel Selection Roussanne -  Barrel aged roussanne.