Characteristics: Roussanne can be thin and tart and is not often bottled on its own, being blended with Marsanne wine which has virtually replaced it as the mainstay grape in Rhône blends. It doesn’t sound like much so far but stick with me on this because some of the most glorious, not to be missed, white wines in the Rhone and now in a few hands in California are from this problematic grape. These stellar versions are very close to one another as it is a very narrow interpretation that allows Roussanne to perform well; using barrel fermentation and oak aging used on old vine harvests. The aroma of Roussanne is not overtly fruity but rather ethereal suggesting wild flowers or herbal tea layered atop a butteriness from the barrel fermentation. Roussanne wines and their blends hold up well with cellaring and may be enjoyable a decade or more past the vintage.

Characteristics: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Picpoul, Terret Noir, Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarese, Picardan, Cinsault, Clairette, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and even Carignan, it is Grenache that tends to predominate these Rhone reds with Syrah as the heir apparent and Mourvedre as the heir presumptive. These three generally rule the roost for good reason as they thrive in France’s warmer climes and each variety contributes its part; Grenache its hearty fruits, Syrah its spice and heft, and Mourvedre its assertive fragrance. Together in various proportions, these make a harmonious trio sure to accompany hearty fare and rustic charcuterie alike.

Characteristics: Really dark brooding sort of nose. Leather and dark chocolate as well as espresso that makes for a very appealing and complex nose. The flavours are of earth and woodsy things like mushrooms and chicory but all along supported by a fleshiness, alcohol and tannins that promise long slow evolution. Alcohol is 14.5%. Notes by LAC, February 3, 2012.

Characteristics: Château de Beaucastel 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, France, 375ml, 14%

Known for its enduring stamina it comes as no surprise this comes dense with tightly packed earth, raspberries, cherries, blueberry skins and spice with a palate of tightly woven pepper, persimmon, plums and a stonewall texture that promises a world of flavor to the person that can store this until its time comes. Impressive now, this mythic Beaucastel vintage will reward those who wait another 5+ years. What else would you expect from 300 year old vineyards, classic farming methods that eschew chemical fertilizers, herbicides or systemic pesticides? Such a Châteauneuf-du-Pape benefits by the full blend of all 13 allowed grape varieties but the lion’s share of this comes from Mourvèdre, Grenache, Counoise, Syrah and Cinsault. That said, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Muscardin, Picardan, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir, and Vaccarese also do their part, I assure you. Beaucastel stands alone as such exemplary Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In a half bottle, this will develop ever so slightly faster but years will benefit this obsidian gem so there’s no hurry. -NL, March 2009

Characteristics: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Picpoul, Terret Noir, Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarese, Picardan, Cinsault, Clairette, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and even Carignan, it is Grenache that tends to predominate these Rhone reds with Syrah as the heir apparent and Mourvedre as the heir presumptive. These three generally rule the roost for good reason as they thrive in France’s warmer climes and each variety contributes its part; Grenache its hearty fruits, Syrah its spice and heft, and Mourvedre its assertive fragrance. Together in various proportions, these make a harmonious trio sure to accompany hearty fare and rustic charcuterie alike.