We first
created this wine in the 2003 vintage as a one-off, but due to the cult
following this wine now enjoys we continue with it to this day.
The roussanne grapes that produced this wine
were picked during the night in order to protect the fruit from the extreme heat
of the day. This wine underwent
fermentation and ageing in French oak barrels with frequent stirring of the
lees to create a rich, complex,
full-bodied roussanne with good
acidity and a luxurious finish.
We suggest drinking this wine with creamy chicken or pasta dishes and with
seafood.
Nose: An
exotic mix of fruit and spice. The freshness of the fruit provides hints of
melon and the barrel aging
has created vanilla notes and a smoky richness.
Palate: Full-bodied with creamy, nutty
characteristics and an extremely long finish.
Medal Winner in the 2010 International Wine Challenge,
Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine Challenge.
May, 2010
"The bigness of this wine comes from its
texture...the result is brilliant: round, soft texture with smoky touches thanks
to partial barrel fermentation. It's a top wine to match with creamy and even
mildly spicy dishes, but I love it best alongside pork chops!"
"...wines that will lead the way for this year's
wine trends. Unusual grape varieties will continue to amaze us. This
white has so much bravado that it can tackle roast chicken, roast pork and any
fish dish. There is oak, honeysuckle and mandarin throughout its heroic
length."
Matthew Jukes, The Mail, 9th January,
2010
Domaine Sainte Rose La Nuit Blanche / Barrel Selection
Roussanne features in the Decanter World Wine Awards publication. "Floral
aromatic buttery toast, hints of tropical fruit. Clean fruit, soft, white
flowers with a hint of well-integrated oak."
Decanter Magazine, October 2009.
"Impeccable wine with a creamy texture and a toasty
edge. ...Charles and Ruth Simpson have created this splendid winner in the
Languedoc. It is rich, toasty and peachy. A glorious wine."
Olly Smith, The Mail, 1st August, 2009
Medal Winner in the 2009 International Wine Challenge,
Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine and Spirits Competition.
May, 2009
"...already well known by Times readers for it sub-£6 bottles. These
barrel-aged wines are worth paying extra for- this roussanne, a rhone variety,
delivers all manner of exotic, burnt, buttery, peach and almost pepperminty
spice."
Jane Macquitty's list of Top 100 Winter Wines, Saturday
Times, December 6th, 2008
The 2007 Barrel Selection Roussanne appears on 8th November, 2008
BBC's Saturday Kitchen. Some Quotes:
"Value is all about quality versus price...oozes quality and
sophistication. In a restaurant you're looking at £50". Michael
Caines, Chef Gidleigh Park Hotel.
"The Balance is perfect; great value-for-money" Daniel
Galmiche, Chef Cliveden House and Forbury Hotel.
"I want a wine that compliments not dominates. The Roussanne
grape...gives these wonderful heady exotic aromas. When you taste it
you have this lovely expressive but also very elegant texture. The oak
in this wines gives a velvety richness". Peter Richards, Wine Guru
"Leesy, fresh and complex
with a whiff of Mediterranean herbs and spices." 89/100. The Wine Gang.
"...hit the spot.
Made from night-harvested grapes, this is a terrific, nutty, lemon and
apricot-stacked, French oak-aged white of real distinction." Jane
Macquitty, The Times, June 14th, 2008
"Exciting herbal nose- quite a
bouquet!"
Jancis Robinson MW,
www.jancisrobinson.com , April 2008
"Made from the roussanne
grape, this is full, ripe, honeyed and crammed with greengage, nectarine and
lime notes, as well as boasting a very long finish. It has enough oomph to
handle both the pie and the roast- along with gravy, too." Matthew Jukes,
Daily Mail, April, 2008
"Shows power and restraint. The nose is discreet and floral.
Perfume of rose, fresh pineapple and honey. This delicate structure is supported
by a more oily texture with flavours of sugared almonds, yellow fruits and mild
spices. This juice was carefully vinified and aged in oak barrels. We matched
this wine with sparerib of pork and Pardailhan turnips." 16/20 Terre de Vins, February 2008
"...a spectacular and rare Roussanne from a
gorgeous southern French property owned by an adventurous Brit couple.
This 100 per cent Roussanne is one of the year's most remarkable wines.
The utterly delicious honey, lime juice and pear and fruit is amazingly complex
and ethereal. Perfect with 'meatier' fish and richer, creamy sauces, this
is an unmissable wine." Matthew Jukes, Daily Mail, September 2007
"Sainte Rose have quite a
history of growing Roussanne – it used to be blended with Chardonnay in their
Vent du Nord. Very creamy, flattering texture with a real spine of acidity, some
ripe greengage flavours and real depth of flavour and persistence. There’s
something distinctly verdant about this wine – followers of Ch de Beaucastel
Blanc, Vieilles Vignes might be interested to see this junior version. The
oaking has been done with a very gentle hand. Bravo!" Jancis Robinson, MW
September 2007.
Domaine Sainte Rose is delighted to
announce that its Barrel Selection Roussanne
has been selected as the Roussanne Trophy Winner in the Top 100 Vins de Pays of
France 2007! 100 winners from 1,115
entries were selected with only 16 Trophies being awarded. "Full-on toasty,
buttery oak, hint of cedar. Textured, rich and complex with lemony,
citrussy acidity giving a zesty lime finish."
"Showing the diversity of which France is capable.
Complex, honeyed, concentrated white with a dash of toasty oak and balancing
citrusy freshness". Anthony Rose,
The Independent, July, 2007
Tim Atkin of the Observer says "The
biggest surprise in 2007(Top 100 VDPs) was the top whites. The rich
toasty, citrus-like 2004 Domaine Sainte Rose Barrel Selection Roussanne...is an
amazing wine.
Tasting whites like these, I think it's the Australians, not the French, who
should worry."
Terre de Vins says "Shows
power and restraint. The nose is discreet and floral. Perfume of rose, fresh
pineapple and honey. This delicate structure is supported by a more oily texture
with flavours of sugared almonds, yellow fruits and mild spices. This juice was
carefully vinified and aged in oak barrels. We matched this wine with sparerib
of pork and Pardailhan turnips." 16/20
Given 4 stars by
Decanter in their March
2007 issue: “Rich, creamy, exotic nose. Juicy, tangy fruit on the palate
with notes of mandarin. Long, fresh and interesting. Up to 2009!”
Anthony Rose of
The Independent recommends the Domaine Sainte Rose, Barrel Selection
Roussanne. "An intense and oak-fermented southern French dry white with
distinctive mineral undertones and lightly honeyed richness."
Domaine Sainte Rose is
delighted to announce that its Barrel Selection
Low-Yield Roussanne has been selected in the Top 100 Vins de Pays, 2006!
The successful wines will be available for tasting at the London Wine & Spirits
Fair (Stand # I40L).
