L'Ermite d'Auzan Blanc Costieres de Nimes 2020

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.

Food Pairings

Chicken and game hens. Smoked fish and cured meats. Cheesy risotto or pasta. Grilled vegetables; beans, asparagus.

Where to find this wine

Accounts that have purchased this wine in the previous twelve months are listed below, alphabetically by city. Please call ahead to confirm availability or vintage

Golden Valley Liquor Barrel
Golden Valley
763-544-9881

Liquor Barn
Long Lake
952-473-1817

Kowalski's Uptown Market
Minneapolis
612-377-3448

Lake Wine & Cheese
Minneapolis
612-242-0073

South Lyndale Liquor
Minneapolis
612-827-5811

France 44
Minneapolis
612-925-3252

Zipp's
Minneapolis
612-333-8686

North Loop Wine & Spirits
Minneapolis
612-338-5393

The Wine Shop
Minnetonka
952-988-9463

Andy's Liquor
Rochester
507-289-0777

Liquor Boy
Saint Louis Park
952-512-2200

Seventh Street Liquor Barrel
Saint Paul
651-222-6811

Scott's Liquor
Saint Paul
651-690-4434

Solo Vino
Saint Paul
651-602-9515