This is a very different wine. Just getting that out of the way.
The back of the label discloses “an off dry style with a bit of residual sugar”. Pale gold color and some stone fruit and tropical essence on the nose. This is very sweet. Dessert wine or Moscato level. It still has plenty of Roussanne characteristics however. Once you get past the shock of the sugar, it shows the strong Roussanne mid palate of banana and peach. Long, sweet finish as well.
This style can be polarizing, but I liked it and was interested enough to keep trying it. I thought my wife might dig it as she generally likes sweet wines, but she gave me a look when she tasted it that I can’t quite put into words. I personally have never tasted a Roussanne in this style and I have no idea if it has a real future. The winery would probably do better to package it as a dessert wine as people who pick it up will be suprised and likely put off by the style.
I think it is quite good and if you like an off dry style, I do recommend it.
I did taste two single vineyard Grenache bottles from the same producer and thought they had plenty of potential.
I am surprised to hear of anyone that HATED this wine. The 2007 La Vie Douce received an 88 points W.E. Sold out of 200 cases in 5 months. The 2008, far better, received a 18.5/20 pts in the Rand Sealey Review of Washington Wines and happens to be in many Asian inspired restaurants in Seattle as well as Saffron in Walla Walla. This is the first I have heard of ANYONE not liking the wine, but it is very respected by critics, wine buyers of stores and restaurants, savy consumers, etc. Everyone from the Tri-Citites Enological Society was thoroughly impressed with this wine at the Rhone Rangers Seminar I did last weekend. The wine shows a perfect balance between sugar and acidity and shows true varietal character for Roussanne coming from such a warm sight in Horse Heaven Hills. This is an unsual style of Roussanne, but it filled the need for a well made sweet style wine that is severely lacking in Washington. The label CLEARLY discloses what this wine is so I can’t see how ANYONE could be surprised or put off. It will sell out again, but to your dismay, it won’t be part of my program. I will continue to do the dry barrel fermented Roussanne that was in the Top 100 Best Northwest Wines in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine (the only other Roussanne picked was Delille) as well as new Boushey Vineyard designate Marsanne.
As for the two Grenache wines, they have had great press already and the Boushey Grenache is almost sold out. The Boushey Grenache received an 18.5+/20 pts, 91 points, and a Double Gold in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition this year. The Purple Cafe & Wine Bar (Downtown & Kirkland) picked it up this week and numerous critics, Master of Sommeliers, a Master of Wines of said it is the Best Grenache made in Washington State. The Alder Ridge Vineyard Grenache has just been released and received 18.5/20 pts and already has been placed by the glass in many fine wine bars and restaurants in Seattle.
If you are going to Taste Washington next weekend, you will have two chances to taste through my wines. Once on Saturday at the Common Grounds: Boushey Vineyard Seminar, where my Syrah was chosen to be one of of best examples of this variety in the state of Washington. Other wineries chosen for the seminar are Betz Family Cellars, Bunnell, Forgeron, Sparkman, and JM Cellars. Sunday of course is the Grand Tasting Event. I would love to have the chance to talk in even greater detail on my wines with anyone interested.