2016 Yangarra Roux Beaute Roussanne, Biodynamic McLaren Vale

Roux Beauté began as a winemaking trial in 2013, with the intention of growing and making an extraordinary Roussanne. The grapes fermented and matured on their skins in big 675L ceramic eggs. The resulting wine is luxuriously textured, and showcases the varietal flavours of Roussanne and the distinctive characters of the site. It will age wonderfully given time in the cellar. The name “Beauté” captures our intention to beautifully express the Roussanne varietal and its site. Roux, the French word for ‘russet’, is the likely part origin of the name Roussanne, and refers to the reddish tinge that forms on the skin of the yellow-green fruit.

Estate-grown 13yo vines, 50% foot-stomped and fermented in a 675l ceramic egg, remaining on skins for 160 days before pressing, 50% also fermented in a ceramic egg without skins, the final blend resulting in 60% extended skin contact, 40% without skins. It's incredible that so little evidence of wild, way out winemaking has produced a bright straw-green wine, that truly tastes of roussanne, a non-aromatic variety. The only sign is a touch of heat or ginger (I don't know which) that flickers every now and then.

94 points James Halliday Wine Companion