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 Hutch
Hutchinson
320-587-2762
Liquor Barn
Long Lake
952-473-1817
Kowalski's Uptown Market
Minneapolis
612-377-3448
North Loop Wine & Spirits
Minneapolis
612-338-5393
South Lyndale Liquor
Minneapolis
612-827-5811
France 44
Minneapolis
612-925-3252
Lake Wine & Cheese
Minneapolis
612-242-0073
Zipp's
Minneapolis
612-333-8686
The Wine Shop
Minnetonka
952-988-9463
Spirits Of Nisswa
Nisswa
218-963-7488
Brightwines.com
North Saint Paul
651-748-0793
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