We’ve wanted to do a library tasting for a while now, so, finally, we decided enough was enough. We gathered the crew and sat down with Roussanne vintages spanning 2011-2023. What we found didn’t surprise us theoretically but exceeded expectations sensorily. Everyone had their favorites, but the commonality was the sheer freshness across the board. A hint to us that these wines still have more in the tank. When you sit down with multiple vintages in one showing, vintage variation comes to the forefront. We see the elegance of cooler years and the lushness of hotter ones, yet no one is better than the other. Wine is inherently subjective, there’s no right or wrong but there’s always something for everyone. Imagine 8,000+ years of convivial discussion on why X is better than Y. This is what makes wine fun and, frankly, intellectually addicting.
So, what makes Roussanne so ageable? If you need a reminder, read back on Aging White Wines. While this variety puts us through the wringer during the growing season, fermentation is more forgiving. Once in bottle, the roller coaster begins again. Roussanne is known for its ping pong aging patterns, meaning when it tastes like it may be on its way out, it rebounds within a year. We saw this at play during our tasting with 2017, so we’ll need to check back on it next year. We also saw some beauties, with 2016 and 2018-2020 as standouts. 2018-2020 showed great texture with interplay between primary and tertiary characteristics. 2016 showed a lithe elegance with great evolution. Sue and Rodney had to dig deep into their personal stash for 2011 and 2012, as these were the last bottles of each vintage in our library. They looked great with a little decanting. When drinking older wines, it’s important to give them a chance to breathe. If a wine has been cooped up in bottle for several years, over a decade in some cases, that extra time is needed to sort themself out. It is a living breathing thing after all. The “newer” vintages look spritely. Our oldest vintage carried in the tasting room is 2022, which has garnered multiple Double Gold medals in recent competitions. Looking back at the awards: Silver in 2023, Gold in 2024, and Double Gold in 2025. If that isn’t a testament to patience, I don’t know what is. We think 2022 has all the components for fantastic age ability and we can’t wait to pop the cork in 10 years. This is why we continue to acquiesce to Roussanne’s every need in the vineyard, it always feels like the most rewarding wine in the end.
This was a great exercise for the crew and I hope to be better at making it a regular occurrence. I encourage you to peek through your cellars for any old Roussanne hanging around, it will be worth your while.