Tried this recent arrival w/ Susan this weekend:
1. Arnot-Roberts Trousseau LuchsingerVnyd/ClearLake (4 Puncheons + 1 Foudre; 12.3%) Healdsburg 2011: Very light near rose color; some earthy rather pretty/grapey/cherry/Beaujolais-like attractive/bright nose; some earthy tart/tangy bit tannic/bitey light cherry/Beaujolais-like pleasant/pretty flavor; med.long tart/tangy some earthy pleasant cherry/Pinotish/Beaujolais-like/cranberry finish w/ light/bitey tannins; mostly like a Valle d'Aosta PetiteRouge than anything; a pleasant/pretty/interesting wine but just that. $30.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. This is (presumably) TrousseauNoir. Also known as Bastardo. In contact w/ the skins throughout fermentation. Surprisingly light in color. I think it could probably use a yr or two to shed some of the bitey tannins and (hopefully) develop some depth and complexity. A very pretty wine but nothing profound at this point in time.
There used to be a fair amount of GrayRiesling planted in Calif. This is, in fact, TrousseauGris. There have been a few skin-contact whites made from this grape taken from the Fannuchi-WoodRd vnyd by PaxMahlle.
Tom