This is the very first White Blend for Y. Rousseau. After making and tasting Colombard and Chardonnay for more than 10 years, Yannick came up with this unique and delicious blend. Colombard is a variety originally from the South-West of France where it has been grown for two hundred years. Yannick made his first Colombard in 1996 in the heart of Gascony. It was once the most widely planted white grape in Northern California.
Crisp, bright, inviting, the 2017 White Blend is boasting a bouquet of pear, golden apple pie, white stone fruits, pineapple, and subtle hazelnut. The entry is energetic and generous, exhibiting flavors of lemon curd, lychee, and quince. While this is a fresh, juicy, mouth-watering white wine, it has an incredible midpalate weight and texture with zesty acidity and minerality carrying the flavors through to the lengthy finish.
Our food recommendations for this versatile White Blend are: fresh crab, lemon/rosemary roasted chicken, seafood pasta or risotto.
Winemaker Notes
Skin contact maceration for 7 hours for the Colombard, whole-cluster pressing, native yeasts fermentation, elevage sur lies for 7 months, aging in 85% neutral French oak + 15% new French oak.
Vintage
The 2017 Colombard was a miracle! It was picked in the middle of the night just before the fires broke out in Mendocino. As Yannick finished pressing grapes, the winery was evacuated and closed for an entire week. The Chardonnay was picked 3 weeks before the fires in excellent condition and balance.
Specifications
Vintage: 2017
Blend: 65% Colombard, 35% Chardonnay
Appellation: Mendocino for Colombard / Sonoma Coast & Coombsville for Chardonnay
Y. Rousseau Wines is the realization of a dream that began long ago in the South-West of France and evolved as Yannick Rousseau, French native, founder, and winemaker followed his heart and passion for winemaking.
Yannick was born in the Gascony region in the South-West of France known for its delicious, rich food, daily wine consumption, and impressive longevity of the inhabitants. His life-long journey in wine started when he was 5 years old and drank his first glass of homemade wine with Pépé, his grandpa. Pépé hunted his own food, made his own wine, and was an artisan butcher.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2017 Y. Rousseau White Blend - $30 = 19.99%
Picked up the bottle Thursday morning, and placed it in the fridge until dinnertime. Popped and poured.
Initial nose was almost non-existent. Faint stone, but not much else. Really closed down, I think.
Initial sip was not much better; not much there. Crisp acidity, however. Good mouth feel, rather heavy body, in a good way.
The finish was the really interesting part. Black pepper, and a hint of some other spice. I’d almost say vegetal, but not quite; I kept coming back to capsaicin, actually.
It did open up a bit as it breathed. Perhaps too cold. Will try again later.
(Next day) Still tight when cold. Refrigerator temp for this wine is too cold, needs to be closer to 55, I think… Still lots of black pepper, with some sort of fruit that we could not identify.
It was a hot day in the Midwest. The kind of heat that makes the clouds sweat, and they call it rain. I call it wet. The kind of wet you’d find on a cold slab of marble on a humid day. The kind of day that reminded me of the way things used to be, back in simpler times. Back when you knew what you wanted, and that want was a dry thirst, just waiting to be slaked. But that isn’t now, and this wasn’t then. Now is now, and nothing can change that but the ticking of that clock on the wall, counting off the minutes of the day. A day just like all the other days you’ve had lately. Working from home. Out of your basement. Sure, it’s a nice basement. And it has a bar. And sure, it’s stocked with a cache of the prized juice. But what then, what happens after you push that blue button to send one more sample of that nectar of the vine? Well, when you get a line dropped from Alice at Casemates, you know you have to find out…
Sorry- the recent “shelter at home” “huddle in place” “hunker down” restrictions and related CaseMates hording are starting to have an effect. The prized Rat email golden ticket had the UPS tracking number, which I knew would have that seductive “follow your delivery on a live map” that refreshes oh, so slowly.
Enough of that, let’s get to the prime material that we’re all here for. I couldn’t resist looking at the detailed shipping information and saw the “Rousseau” name there and the game was afoot! Although UPS estimated delivery before 1pm, the driver, doubtless knowing the lure of the 3 pound parcel, held off until 4:50pm. I could sense his relief as he briskly carried the single bottle package up to the door instead of the 39 pound cases from earlier in the week.
On arrival, we promptly opened up the box and admired the bottle of 2017 Y. Rousseau White Blend, the back label revealing it as 65% Colombard and 35% Chardonnay, at 13.5% alcohol. Without pause, the bottle went into the wine fridge to settle in and await the Friday end of week celebration.
Initial notes from the first 55⁰ pour after the extraction of the clean composite cork showed crystal clarity and a very light golden color. A swirl of the glass and a deep inhalation revealed mild citrus and lemon on the nose. Subsequent swirls resulted in long legs that held up nicely in the glass.
Pop and pour tasting notes from my sample: slightly tart, good acidity, with citrus. What really came through was a peach flavor, and not just any peach, but it directly reminded me of a farm stand South Carolina (near the GA border) white peach. When that hit my tongue, and relayed that to my brain, I knew I was in for a case. It triggered those memories of way back when my parents let me ride in the back of our Pontiac station wagon on trips to my grandparents in Georgia. From that point on, Yannick had me. As a more independent thinker, my wife keenly noted some light honeysuckle and thought that this would be fantastic with some Maryland crab cakes. She was in for the case too.
Second tasting, four hours later at 48⁰, the lower temp did mute the flavors a bit, bringing out more pear and less peach, and more citrus and lychee. Although the peach was more restrained, it partnered up with a nice tartness on the tongue with an extended finish on the palate.
Day 1 Summary, we’re in for a case, but know that prior Rousseau orders haven’t shipped to IL. Now with the offer live, sadly IL isn’t on the list.
At the Casemates price, we think this is a great buy with unique flavor profile that really offers a change from many other whites.
Day 2 follow up to come.
We greatly appreciate the opportunity to rat for our Casemates family!!
Day 2 update: after 24+ hours in the re-corked bottle, very little change today. The nose was more evident, but that might have been due to the glassware- but citrus/floral was evident. On tasting, my wife reaffirmed her honeysuckle notes. I thought some of the citrus may have come to the front, with a bit more lemon showing up. Still very tasty. @yannickrousseau@winedavid49, let us know if they is a way to get this offer in IL anytime or in the future. We found it very nice and look forward to more Roousseau wines!
I do have a question though slightly unrelated to this offer. I was a fortunate lab rat for the Musketeer when it was offered last year I believe. It wasn’t available to Florida at the time. From what I understand there is an exclusivity agreement with a store in Florida for that wine. Would you be able to tell me which store that is?
I have a difficult question to ask, dating from an offer just over six years ago on the old site that is intended in only the most positive way to help me understand Colombard.
There was an offer of 2012 Colombard Old Vines I purchased, that I had difficulty with, and ended up gifting to others that had more appreciation for it than I did.
At the time my only known experience with Colombard was from 60’s and 70’s plonk jug wine. While other respected palates reported enthusiastic comments on the '12, I just couldn’t dissociate the two and didn’t at all care for it. It’s now six years later and I’ve come to appreciate differing styles and enjoy many variety of whites, most generally on the dry side of the spectrum.
Understanding this is a blend, does it at all compare to the '12? For if it does, I fear I man have the same impressions, but I’m open to give it another shot with some encouraging comments from you.
@rjquillin Good morning,
Thank you for your feedback.
Honestly the 2012 Colombard has more of Chenin Blanc (from the Loire Valley region) quality.
The White Blend 2017 does not compare really to the 2012 Colombard; there is a couple of similarities as far as the brightness, acidity and texture (because of the Colombard but the aromatics are quite different.
You will that the White Blend is complex in the nose with pear, baked apple pie, quince, peach and light hazelnut. And in the mouthfeel, there is volume and length thanks to the Chardonnay. The White Blend is a great match for Grilled Chicken, scallops, salmon.
That said, usually, the best way to enjoy and appreciate Colombard is to drink it young.
Not to mention it’s a great deal!
As always, happy to respond to your questions,
Yannick
@ctmariner@yannickrousseau ah, the 2013 Tannat, I got a case, and so glad I did, have nine bottles left, opened one just last week, for a visiting wine loving nephew. ctmariner, not going to give you my home address, and Yannick, to say it simply…”ya did good” praying that you contract with casemates next year to bless us with some.
Tasting Notes
Winemaker Notes
Vintage
Specifications
Included in the Box
Price Comparison
$383.00/case (including shipping) at Y. Rousseau Wines
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Friday, June 26th - Tuesday, June 30th
Y. Rousseau White Blend
4 bottles for $49.99 $12.50/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $119.99 $10/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2017 Y. Rousseau White Blend
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2017 Y. Rousseau White Blend - $30 = 19.99%
Welcome Casemates afficionados! Feel free to send any question you might have.
Picked up the bottle Thursday morning, and placed it in the fridge until dinnertime. Popped and poured.
Initial nose was almost non-existent. Faint stone, but not much else. Really closed down, I think.
Initial sip was not much better; not much there. Crisp acidity, however. Good mouth feel, rather heavy body, in a good way.
The finish was the really interesting part. Black pepper, and a hint of some other spice. I’d almost say vegetal, but not quite; I kept coming back to capsaicin, actually.
It did open up a bit as it breathed. Perhaps too cold. Will try again later.
(Next day) Still tight when cold. Refrigerator temp for this wine is too cold, needs to be closer to 55, I think… Still lots of black pepper, with some sort of fruit that we could not identify.
Maybe dried quince…
It was a hot day in the Midwest. The kind of heat that makes the clouds sweat, and they call it rain. I call it wet. The kind of wet you’d find on a cold slab of marble on a humid day. The kind of day that reminded me of the way things used to be, back in simpler times. Back when you knew what you wanted, and that want was a dry thirst, just waiting to be slaked. But that isn’t now, and this wasn’t then. Now is now, and nothing can change that but the ticking of that clock on the wall, counting off the minutes of the day. A day just like all the other days you’ve had lately. Working from home. Out of your basement. Sure, it’s a nice basement. And it has a bar. And sure, it’s stocked with a cache of the prized juice. But what then, what happens after you push that blue button to send one more sample of that nectar of the vine? Well, when you get a line dropped from Alice at Casemates, you know you have to find out…
Sorry- the recent “shelter at home” “huddle in place” “hunker down” restrictions and related CaseMates hording are starting to have an effect. The prized Rat email golden ticket had the UPS tracking number, which I knew would have that seductive “follow your delivery on a live map” that refreshes oh, so slowly.
Enough of that, let’s get to the prime material that we’re all here for. I couldn’t resist looking at the detailed shipping information and saw the “Rousseau” name there and the game was afoot! Although UPS estimated delivery before 1pm, the driver, doubtless knowing the lure of the 3 pound parcel, held off until 4:50pm. I could sense his relief as he briskly carried the single bottle package up to the door instead of the 39 pound cases from earlier in the week.
On arrival, we promptly opened up the box and admired the bottle of 2017 Y. Rousseau White Blend, the back label revealing it as 65% Colombard and 35% Chardonnay, at 13.5% alcohol. Without pause, the bottle went into the wine fridge to settle in and await the Friday end of week celebration.
Initial notes from the first 55⁰ pour after the extraction of the clean composite cork showed crystal clarity and a very light golden color. A swirl of the glass and a deep inhalation revealed mild citrus and lemon on the nose. Subsequent swirls resulted in long legs that held up nicely in the glass.
Pop and pour tasting notes from my sample: slightly tart, good acidity, with citrus. What really came through was a peach flavor, and not just any peach, but it directly reminded me of a farm stand South Carolina (near the GA border) white peach. When that hit my tongue, and relayed that to my brain, I knew I was in for a case. It triggered those memories of way back when my parents let me ride in the back of our Pontiac station wagon on trips to my grandparents in Georgia. From that point on, Yannick had me. As a more independent thinker, my wife keenly noted some light honeysuckle and thought that this would be fantastic with some Maryland crab cakes. She was in for the case too.
Second tasting, four hours later at 48⁰, the lower temp did mute the flavors a bit, bringing out more pear and less peach, and more citrus and lychee. Although the peach was more restrained, it partnered up with a nice tartness on the tongue with an extended finish on the palate.
Day 1 Summary, we’re in for a case, but know that prior Rousseau orders haven’t shipped to IL. Now with the offer live, sadly IL isn’t on the list.
At the Casemates price, we think this is a great buy with unique flavor profile that really offers a change from many other whites.
Day 2 follow up to come.
We greatly appreciate the opportunity to rat for our Casemates family!!
@benguin986 Thank you for the great tasting notes and feedback!
@benguin986 you had me at “A swirl of the glass” thanks for the color and the nudge! In for a case…thankful for the VA shipping
Day 2 update: after 24+ hours in the re-corked bottle, very little change today. The nose was more evident, but that might have been due to the glassware- but citrus/floral was evident. On tasting, my wife reaffirmed her honeysuckle notes. I thought some of the citrus may have come to the front, with a bit more lemon showing up. Still very tasty. @yannickrousseau @winedavid49, let us know if they is a way to get this offer in IL anytime or in the future. We found it very nice and look forward to more Roousseau wines!
@benguin986 This is the best-written tasting note I have ever encountered! Kudos!
I do have a question though slightly unrelated to this offer. I was a fortunate lab rat for the Musketeer when it was offered last year I believe. It wasn’t available to Florida at the time. From what I understand there is an exclusivity agreement with a store in Florida for that wine. Would you be able to tell me which store that is?
@jaybird I would be happy to direct. can you email me about The Musketeer?
@yannickrousseau sure, address?
info@yrousseauwines.com
Yannick, winemaker is back online…and available to answer questions.
@yannickrousseau
Since it’s so far still a bit quiet here…
I have a difficult question to ask, dating from an offer just over six years ago on the old site that is intended in only the most positive way to help me understand Colombard.
There was an offer of 2012 Colombard Old Vines I purchased, that I had difficulty with, and ended up gifting to others that had more appreciation for it than I did.
At the time my only known experience with Colombard was from 60’s and 70’s plonk jug wine. While other respected palates reported enthusiastic comments on the '12, I just couldn’t dissociate the two and didn’t at all care for it. It’s now six years later and I’ve come to appreciate differing styles and enjoy many variety of whites, most generally on the dry side of the spectrum.
Understanding this is a blend, does it at all compare to the '12? For if it does, I fear I man have the same impressions, but I’m open to give it another shot with some encouraging comments from you.
@rjquillin Good morning,
Thank you for your feedback.
Honestly the 2012 Colombard has more of Chenin Blanc (from the Loire Valley region) quality.
The White Blend 2017 does not compare really to the 2012 Colombard; there is a couple of similarities as far as the brightness, acidity and texture (because of the Colombard but the aromatics are quite different.
You will that the White Blend is complex in the nose with pear, baked apple pie, quince, peach and light hazelnut. And in the mouthfeel, there is volume and length thanks to the Chardonnay. The White Blend is a great match for Grilled Chicken, scallops, salmon.
That said, usually, the best way to enjoy and appreciate Colombard is to drink it young.
Not to mention it’s a great deal!
As always, happy to respond to your questions,
Yannick
@yannickrousseau
Thanks for your comments, that said…
if any SoCal/SD grab an offer, and a couple/few are available, lmk.
@rjquillin I would also take 3, if that helps push someone over the edge.
Any chance of your (Reserve) Tannat making a reappearance? I only grabbed a couple of bottles last time and still regret it!
@ctmariner Ah! The Musketeer Tannat! We are sold out at the momment.
the next Reserve Tannat will come out next Spring.
@ctmariner @yannickrousseau ah, the 2013 Tannat, I got a case, and so glad I did, have nine bottles left, opened one just last week, for a visiting wine loving nephew. ctmariner, not going to give you my home address, and Yannick, to say it simply…”ya did good” praying that you contract with casemates next year to bless us with some.
/giphy interesting-dry-cloth
White Blend is the Summer « Red Blend »…dare I say!
Easy peasy…in for a case: lax-watery-cockroach
giphy.com/gifs/cockroach-imgs-NcXSoyYAtiGiY/links
lax-watery-cockroach
@Allieroon
Thank you for putting up another white so soon!
/giphy courteous-busy-dill
