2010 Old Vines COLOMBARD - RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

Here's a tribute to a California workhorse Colombard, the state's second-most planted white grape — as Yannick Rousseau nods to his native Gascony with one of the friendliest table wines of the year. From 35-year-old vines, he applies deft winemaking to extract extra depth from the grape skins, for a bottle redolent with mandarin peel and ripe fruit, plus fern and honey accents. No surprise it has become its own little cult hit in Wine Country.

If nectarines were spicy, they might have the fruit character of this Colombard, a bright, white fruit flavor that’s bold, clean and fresh. There is also a hint of lemongrass and verbena. This wine is tangy, its alcohol in check. It will be ready to chill for holiday’s fares like oysters and caviar.

Exceptional.

Fresh and spiced aroma of lime zest, juniper, and tangerine. The entry is so inviting you're tempted to think there's a trace of sugar, but this wine is as crisp as biting into an early season Granny Smith apple.

Truly great wine and not to be missed!

It must be Iowa! Imagine this...lightly smoked sable fish filet (VitalChoice.com-the "chocolate" of fish) nestled on a bed of FRESH organic fennel, Mirai sweet corn, Viking purple potatoes, Elisa sweet onions, red peppers,grape tomatoes, purple carrots(slow roasted with fresh herbs in parchment) and served atop a cutting of baby arugula. There's more but get the idea? Wine pairing-Y. Rousseau Colombard "Old Vines" Russian River Valley 2009. Perfect pairing! Life is good.

Thanks, Your Midwest fan - August 11, 2010

Last Saturday afternoon I grabbed some girlfriends and headed down to Fort Mason for the SF Vintners Market. Although I've attended countless large tastings, this one was different because it was the first tasting where all of the wines were for sale. If you tasted something you loved, you could walk away with a bottle. It's a dangerous concept, but also a fun one! My favorite bottles were two whites from winemaker Yannick Rousseau. The grapes are from Napa Valley, but his winemaking style is classical French, resulting in lush, soft, and sophisticated sippers. The Chardonnay is rich and wonderful, while the Colombard is light and had me craving oysters on the half shell.

“One sip of this utterly remarkable wine will prove itself. It’s hard to stop sipping. There is a succulence to this wine that calls for case purchases. Best on warm days or any time you want to sip an unforgettable wine.”

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Dear Yannick:

I just want to let you know that we tasted our first bottle of Colombard Friday. All I can say isYummy... We really enjoyed the Colombard and are looking forward to tasting your reds when released. I may have to order more Colombard too.

Thank you so much for making such a wonderful wine and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Cheers, Anonymous, Delaware

"Yannick Rousseau is passionate about winemaking, history from the Gascony region of his French homeland and especially the French Colombard grape.

"I grew up the southwestern region of France where Colombard is king and the 'Three Musketeers' are revered," he said. "I migrated to California 10 years ago and worked as assistant winemaker for Newton Vineyards in Napa. Two years later I moved to Chateau Potelle Winery in the Mount Veeder area as assistant winemaker."

Today he is growing the under-appreciated varietial in the Russian River appellation and making excellent wine...."

Almost nobody in California makes a Colombard, especially in a high-rent district like Russian River, but this white wine deserves your attention. It’s dry and very crisp in acidity, with flavors of citrus fruits, peaches, pears, honeysuckle flowers and spices. Great as an interesting alternative to Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. Editors’ Choice.

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Striking aroma of juniper, fresh pears, under-ripe melon, and a spice note I can't describe. The wine seems a tad sweet on the entry, but it is bone dry(!), offset by a slightly higher pH so the wine is still amazingly succulent. Simply not to be believed. A “concept wine” without a flaw in it.