For you loyal readers out there, you know this isn’t the first time a Texas wine has stolen my heart. But this one is special. Special enough we feature it in our Somm Women Talk Wine episode on “White Wines You’ve Likely Never Tried”!
This wine hails from grapes grown in the Texas High Plains region. This is one of the largest American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in the United States. Tatum Cellars 2019 Roussanne is bound to delight! Single vineyard, 22 months in oak, this white wine has everything I dream of in a glass. Let me break it down so you can join me in this mouth-watering journey in the Texas wine country.
First of all, let’s talk Roussanne. 100% Roussanne to be specific. This varietal is a native of the Rhône valley of France. Southern Rhône is warm, windy, steep slopes to flat rocky soil. Northern Rhône has dangerously steep slopes along the river and torturous mistral winds from the alps. You’ll never dream these areas could produce wine at all, much less world class amazing wine. In many of Northern Rhône’s wine appellations, including Hermitage, Roussanne and Marsanne are the only white varietals allowed. In Southern Rhône, Chateauneuf-de-Pape reigns. Here, Roussanne is one of the six white varietals allowed. The key take away is Roussanne is almost never used as a single varietal wine! It’s nearly always blended.
Texas wine sets the stage
Shifting gears to Texas winemaking, Roussanne is having a renaissance and being blended into amazing Rhône inspired blends to unbelievably elegant 100% wines. Tatum Cellars turned to the legendary La Pradera Vineyard in Brownfield, TX for the grapes making up this single vineyard beauty. La Pradera is known for growing stellar Rhône varietals from Mourvèdre to Petite SIran, Carignan to Tannat. Tatum Cellars knows what they were doing when they source here.
With its rust tinted skin (translating to Roux in French), the Roussanne varietal creates deep golden wines with ripe pear and stone fruit aromas and flavors. Time in oak produces honeyed notes with warm vanilla and steeped tea compliments. It maintains great acidity when grown in cooler climates or areas with large swings between warm days and cool nights (diurnal shift). Roussanne creates full wines which linger long after each drink. Similar to Chardonnay, this grape is a chameleon producing tart, crisp and fresh wines to luxurious and complex wines.
Texas wines make their mark in competitions world wide. If you haven’t tried any for a while, I highly suggest doing so! Take a trip to the Texas Hill Country and spend a few nights in Fredericksburg. Or meander through the Texas High Plains and enjoy miles of scenic vineyards as the sun sets. Don’t have the travel bug, let the Texas Wine Club bring the best of curated Texas wines to your doorstep! That’s how I landed this Tatum Cellars Roussanne myself!
Regardless which path you choose, even if you grab a Roussanne blend from France, you’re bound to find this a new favorite varietal you’ve likely never tried! Charisse and I are totally in love so check out our podcast episode in the link above and geek out with us!
Cheers!🍷
