286937 Thu Feb 15 01:09:46 -0800 2001 8 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1540634 After drinking some Roussanne lately (At Tabla and the Tasting Room) and loving the lush full taste and aroma I'm having a hard time finding bottles in shops. So far I found a 1997 Zaca Mesa (is this too old?) and a 1999 Bonny Doon. Is anyone familiar with these two ? Where can I find more Roussane in Manhattan? I need my fix. Much thanks. Thu Feb 15 01:09:46 -0800 2001 0 howard 1 1540635 P.S. -California Roussanne specifically. Already checked Crossroads. Garnet,Union Square and Astor.My quest for the Holy Grail.(Need Monty Python) Thu Feb 15 01:22:26 -0800 2001 1540634 0 howard 2 1540637 There's actually a bit of a scandal (and potentially many lawsuits and fines) re: Calif. Roussanne. Much of it turns out to be Viognier. Genuine Roussanne has the ability to age, whereas, Viognier is usually better in its youth. Thu Feb 15 03:45:12 -0800 2001 1540635 0 Melanie Wong 3 1540659 Thanks much for the tip. I've read about this on a wine site but the names of wineries weren't included. Do you know of any that were accused? (Zola) I found U.S. Roussanne to have a longer finish than U.S. Viognier. One day I'll treat myself (and some lucky others) to a bottle of Condrieu. Thu Feb 15 23:58:03 -0800 2001 1540637 0 howard 4 1540662 Have only tasted a few Calif. Roussanes. The wine from Bonny Doon's late vineyard was probably the best. I also like Zaca Mesa's from Santa Barbara County. Las Tablas is also fine. The budwood came from Beaucastel's vineyards in France so should be authentic and able to be sold labelled as Rousanne. With this mix-up, I would doubt that much 2000 vintage can be marketed as Roussanne. Here's a link to the Sacramento Bee's article which lists a few of the parties to the problem. Link: http://www.sacbee.com/ib/news/old/ib_news01_20000817.html Fri Feb 16 01:44:57 -0800 2001 1540659 0 Melanie Wong 5 1540675 Qupe makes a very fine Rousanne. And who can forget Sine Qua Non's classic one-off The Roussanes Are Coming with its KGB-noir lable art? Fri Feb 16 11:50:32 -0800 2001 1540662 0 Pepper 6 1540696 In general, there are very few Qupé wines that I don't like. However, I need to warn you off the Marsanne/Roussanne blend tasted last week (unfortunately I don't have the vintage notes with me at the hotel, probably 98). this had an odd chemical aroma, much lower fruit intensity than I associate with Qupé wines and a bitter aftertaste. This was from a half-bottle, maybe storage/handling was a problem? Sat Feb 17 03:19:36 -0800 2001 1540675 0 Melanie Wong 7 1540708 I did some web research and found out that 1999 Zaca Mesa Roussanne was found through DNA testing at U.C. Davis to be Viognier. Zaca Mesa is pulling the bottles and relabeling them. (As Orange Julius without eggs)I like Bonny Doon (Pacific Rim Riesling) and will try their 99 Roussanne. Thanks again. Sun Feb 18 00:22:33 -0800 2001 1540696 0 howard 6 1540709 Next time you're in a wine shop take a look at Bonny Doone labels. Some illustrations are by Ralph Steadman who draws for Hunter Thompson. The text is by the owner Randell Graham (sic) who is witty and pun loving. Sun Feb 18 00:35:42 -0800 2001 1540675 0 howard