Doyenne Roussanne
Rand Sealey
Review of Washington Wines January 2010
www.reviewofwashingtonwines.com
2008 Doyenne Roussanne, Red Mountain
Doyenne is the “Rhone/Provence” line from DeLille. This white offers an amazing, exotic nose of melon, Asian pear-apple and stone fruits with scents of chamomile tea, lilac, oriental flowers and wet stone. The flavors are expansive yet finely wrought with tones of cantaloupe, stony minerals, and just a hint of tropical fruit against a dry, intense background that leads to a deep, complex finish. 19/20 points.
Stephen Tanzer, NOV/DEC 09
2008 DeLille Estate Doyenne Roussanne Red Mountain
($32) Pale, bright gold. Aromas of honey, minerals and fresh herbs complicated by a saline quality. At once pliant and gripping on the palate, with complex flavors of pear, lemon and spices. This big wine boasts terrific fruit intensity and persistence. From Ciel du Cheval fruit. 93 Pts.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2007 Doyenne Roussanne Red Mountain White J.M. 90 Pts.
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, March 1, 2009 issue
Paul Gregutt
91 Doyenne 2007 Roussanne – Red Mountain
Roussanne, with barely seven years history in Washington, is making good headway, thanks to efforts such as this. It seems to capture the floral and citrus complexity of the best Viogniers, while adding in richer layers of fruit through a pleasing honeyed middle. Lively and lingering, it has the balance and depth to improve in bottle over the next four or five years. --- P.G.
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Silver - DeLille Doyenne Roussanne 2007 Red Mountain |
92 Pts. - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Nov/Dec 08 (2007 Vintage)
Bright, pale yellow. Intriguing aromas of smoke, brown spices and lime zest, with notes of honey and spun sugar emerging with aeration. At once dense, round and juicy, with a stony element and a leesy complexity contributing to the tactile mouth feel. Still a tad reduced, but a zesty quality gives this rich wine excellent bite and lift. Finishes broad, complex and long. A superb example of roussanne from Washington.
90 Pts. - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Nov/Dec 08 (2006 Vintage) Good bright straw-yellow. Aromas of lemon and white flowers. Intensely flavored and juicy, with some CO2 yet to be absorbed. But there's a lovely honeysuckle sweetness in the middle palate of this generous roussanne, along with a touch of vanilla that's not from oak (both this and the Metier are made entirely in stainless steel). Finishes firm and persistent.
90 Pts. - Jay Miller, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2006 Vintage)Doyenne’s 2006 Roussanne was raised in stainless steel. Medium straw-colored, it offers aromas of candle wax, honeysuckle, passion fruit, and peach. Supple-textured, ripe, and tasty, it has a long, suave finish, just the match for Pacific Northwest salmon.-J.M.
91 Pts. - Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthuiast (2006 Vintage)This 100% Roussanne cleans the palate with a wash of acid, rock and tart fruit. A mix of white peach, stone fruits, citrus rind and a hint of unripe pineapple, it all adds up to a wine of elegance and complexity. This finish is firm, detailed and seamless, a delight all the way through.
Gold Medal - Seattle Wine Awards - June 2008 (2006 Vintage)
Gold Medal ~ Grand Award of Excellence - First Place Overall
Top 100 Washington Wines of 2007 Seattle Times (2006 Vintage)
Paul Greggutt, Wine Adviser, December 19, 2007
Wine #46: Doyenne 2006 Roussanne
92 Pts. - Jay Miller, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2005 Vintage)
The 2005 Roussanne is 100% stainless steel fermented and aged. A seductive perfume of honeysuckle, passion fruit, peach, and apricot leads to a rich wine with oodles of flavor, a velvety texture, superb balance, and a long, suave finish. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.
91 Pts. - Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast (2005 Vintage)
Pure Roussanne, all Ciel du Cheval fruit; supremely fresh, juicy and ripe. This is absolutely delicious fruit, ripe and bursting with all the flavors you could hope to find in the grape and the vineyard. The floral/citrus highlights are there, along with honeysuckle and lime. They lead gracefully into rich stone fruits, buttressed with tangy acids. Then into a sweetly peachy, creamy, lightly vanilla-flavored finish. This is the best Roussanne yet from Doyenne.
Top 100 Washington Wines 2006 - Paul Gregutt, Wine Adviser December 27, 2006
From Paul Gregutt’s list of the best Washington wines for 2006!
Wine #62: Doyenne 2005 Roussanne
90 Pts. - Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast (Vintage 2004)
Lovely and creamy, with thick, juicy peach flavors of citrus peel, honey, lemon and white peach fruits. Graham cracker and oatmeal flavors coat the finish; over all a very fleshy mouthful of wine. Just 200 cases produced.89 Pts. - Pierre Rovani, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Vintage 2004)
Wonderful aromas of dried honey are found in the nose of the 2004 Doyenne Roussanne. Medium bodied, silky-textured, and full-flavored, this dried honey and tangy citrus-flavored wine is fresh, pure, and vibrant. Drink it over the next 2 years.