Rousanne is a grape that originated in the northern Rhône area of France and, from the pictures I’ve seen, they are reddish-brown in colour.  Roux is the French word for this colour meaning russet and it’s believed this is where the name was derived.

Not that I have checked but I don’t reckon there would be much Rousanne grown in the Barossa Valley, an area known famously for its rich and bold shiraz.  The grapes for this wine come from vines planted in 2001, so I say bravo to the person or people who took the chance and planted it in the region.  It’s getting treated very well by Michael Papps that’s for sure.

Apologies, but I’m going to skip over the colour and move straight into the aromas and flavours because that is where the delightfulness (I think I just made up another word) is with this wine.

The aromas are such that I just knew what to expect on the palate and I literally couldn’t wait to taste it.

Plump pears are the lead flavour for me with macadamia nuts and a slight honey note all add up to a rich, lush, smooth and creamy wine.  There’s some terrific texture, great palate weight, lots of length and plenty of flavour from start to finish.

I checked my notes for the 2016 Devote Rousanne and I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is another step up and, as much as I loved that wine, I like this one even more!

Yelland & Papps Website

Region: Barossa Valley, SA     Price: $40     Source: Sample