The roussanne grapes that produced this winewere picked during the night in order to protect the fruit from the extreme heat of the day, hence the name La Nuit Blanche or 'the sleepless night'. 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.
Colour: Golden yellow
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.
Drink: Now until 2014
Available vintages: 2008/2009
What the critics say
Winner of a Top 100 IGPs of France 2011 Award!
Medal Winner in the 2010 International Wine Challenge, Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine Challenge. May, 2010
This is fermented for one year in old French oak barrels and has 10 months barrel ageing. Full but racy, it is a serious, structured, oily wine with a hint of tropical fruit and an attractive, slightly saline quality. Quite tight, and firm on the palate; a food wine. 17/20 (4 Stars)
Decanter Magazine, February 2012
...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 Issue.
Medal Winner in the 2009 International Wine Challenge, Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine and Spirits Competition. May, 2009Leesy, fresh and complex with a whiff of Mediterranean herbs and spices." 89/100.
The Wine Gang, August, 2008.
Jane Macquitty, Saturday Times, 14th June 2008...hit the spot. Made from night-harvested grapes, this is a terrific, nutty, lemon and apricot-stacked, French oak-aged white of real distinction.
Exciting herbal nose- quite a bouquet!
Jancis Robinson MW, 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, jancisrobinson.com , September 2007
