Roussanne and Chardonnay, a non-traditional but very successful blend. The Chardonnay gives fresh fruit flavours, while the Roussanne provides richness and an impressive, lingering palate. This was among the first of the surprising fusions we created at Sainte Rose. It's an intelligent wine to enjoy on its own or to complement a creative menu.Colour: Pale yellow
Nose: Intense, complex and elegant. There are floral notes of honeysuckle with hints of peach and melon, honey and caramel.
Palate: Rich and well balanced with enormous length.
Drink: Now until 2013
Available vintages: 2008
What the critics say
Medal Winner in the 2011 Decanter World Wine Awards- Commended!
Medal Winner in the 2010 International Wine Challenge & Decanter World Wine Awards. May, 2010!
Honeyed creamy apricot fruits, crisp, light, Languedoc quaffer!
Rose Murray Brown, The Scotsman, 8th August, 2009
Silver Medal Winner in the 2009 International Wine Competition. Decanter World Wine Awards Bronze. May, 2009The Rhone is roussanne's home, where its heavy fruit and flavour can overwhelm, but further south in the Midi and lightened with chardonnay, the result is enticing, exotic peach and waxy fruit.
Jane MacQuitty, The Times, March 2007
Silver Medal Winner, Decanter World Wine Awards, 2006A light gold colour with a floral toasty oak nose. Soft, ripe aromatic fruit with integrated buttery oak flavours and a soft balancing acidity.
Creamy aromas. Fresh, ripe apple aromas on the palate. Up to 2 years.- 100 Great Wines
Decanter Magazine, March 2006
Ripe, subtle, direct and clear and fresh. Good balance, ripe and some character. Concentrated herbal.
Andrew Jefford, Decanter World Wine Awards, 2004
Strong aromas of peach and pineapple. New World-Style nose with a rich buttery mouth feel and big, oaky flavours
Jim Wilson, Purchasing Director, Berkmann Wine Cellars, 2003
Soft, peachy aroma, smooth palate with nice balance and good length.
David Dickenson, MD 3D Wines, 2003
We thought that the Le Vent du Nord 2002 was brilliant, I do hope you have some for us?
Nigel Johnson-Hill, The Vintry, 2004
Amazing wine, we sold out in the first week!
Jean-Marc Mayart, Best Wine Invest, Belgium, 2003
A blend of 60% Roussane and 40% Chardonnay, and one of the stars of the range. Ripe, toasty flavour, dry finish. Weighty palate enhanced by the high alcohol (14.5%). Delicious complexity of flavours – honeyed melons with a stone-based finish.Scribblings Rating - 90/100
Andy Barrow, andys-scribblings.co.uk, 2003
blends chardonnay and roussane grapes in a fresh, crisp and appealing package whose lemon-lime flavors are infused with elements of dried herbs and flowers and wet stones. Made for mussels poached in white wine
Fredric Koeppel, Gapevine, Memphis TN, 2004
Buttery, nutty, toasty, lees, honey and melon aromas. Big, fat, round, rich and oily with a warm palate. No lack of intensity!
Gisomondi on Wine, BC, 2005
