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Y. Rousseau, The Musketeer, Tannat, Alder Springs Vineyard

California, United States 2012 (750mL)
$60.00
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Fruit
Earth
Body
Tannin
Acid
Alcohol

Y. Rousseau, The Musketeer, Tannat, Alder Springs Vineyard


Having grown up in the south of France, it is only appropriate that Yannick would seek out Tannat grapes in California once he had his own winery. Before 2007, he worked under several renowned winemakers in France and then built his resume in California at various wineries in Napa Valley, such as Newton Vineyards and Château Potelle, before founding Y. Rousseau. Because Yannick believes that great wines are made from great terroir, he specifically sought out the high quality Tannat grapes from the Alder Spring Vineyard in Mendocino County. This vineyard is only twelve miles from the Pacific Ocean, giving the wine a freshness and purity that really elevates the tasting experience. The terrain is hilly, steep and rugged. Wildlife roams the surrounding Redwood forests and biodiversity flourishes, as most of the region surrounding this incredible vineyard site is still natural and wild. Elevation is high, ranging from 1,700 to 2,700 feet, and the contrast between warm days and cool nights make for excellent growing conditions.

The 2012 Alder Springs Vineyard Tannat has an opaque dark ruby, almost purple core that moves to magenta and ruby reflections on the rim. The nose is bountiful and dense with aromas of freshly baked blueberries, freshly picked boysenberries, blackberries and black cherries; powerful secondary aromas of Redwood trees, forest floor, fennel, licorice, cocoa, vanilla, and fresh violets. The palate is fresh, ripe and dense with beautiful wild fruit flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, black cherry and blueberry, alongside wonderful forest aromas from the rugged terrain, a myriad of baking spices, licorice, finely crushed earth and a hint of spice. My opinion is that this wine will show at its best two to three years from now, but after letting it breathe a couple of hours, I am incredibly impressed with its performance. This wine is fruit forward but balanced by the layers of structure, fine tannins and herbal qualities imparted by the local forests. I suggest pairing this beautifully concentrated wine with roasted lamb, smothered in a delicious blackberry sauce.
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Country
United States
Region
California
Sub-Region
United StatesMendocino
Soil
Sandstone, Clay, Loam
Farming
Sustainable
Blend
Tannat
Alcohol
14.5
OAK
85% New French

United States

Washington

Columbia Valley

Like many Washington wines, the “Columbia Valley” indication only tells part of the story: Columbia Valley covers a huge swath of Central
Washington, within which are a wide array of smaller AVAs (appellations).

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Oregon’s Willamette Valley has become an elite winegrowing zone in record time. Pioneering vintner David Lett, of The Eyrie Vineyard, planted the first Pinot Noir in the region in 1965, soon to be followed by a cadre of forward-thinking growers who (correctly) saw their wines as America’s answer to French
Burgundies. Today, the Willamette
Valley is indeed compared favorably to Burgundy, Pinot Noir’s spiritual home. And while Pinot Noir accounts for 64% of Oregon’s vineyard plantings, there are cool-climate whites that must not be missed.

California

Santa Barbara

Among the unique features of Santa Barbara County appellations like Ballard Canyon (a sub-zone of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA), is that it has a cool, Pacific-influenced climate juxtaposed with the intense luminosity of a southerly
latitude (the 34th parallel). Ballard Canyon has a more north-south orientation compared to most Santa Barbara AVAs, with soils of sandy
clay/loam and limestone.

California

Paso Robles

Situated at an elevation of 1,600 feet, it is rooted in soils of sandy loam and falls within the Highlands District of the Paso Robles AVA.

New York

North Fork

Wine growers and producers on Long Island’s North Fork have traditionally compared their terroir to that of Bordeaux and have focused on French varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

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