Had some friends over to my place last night and, given the folks present, decided it was worth tasting a couple of Trousseaus from California. Both wines showed a real freshness and energy as well as deep aromatics that seemed to conceal their origin in the new world. The wines also showed some interesting development when I tasted them again on the 2nd day. These are excellent wines that show the potential of the “seven percent” varietals to express California terroir in a unique way.
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2012 Sandlands Trousseau - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (12/15/2014)
This is the bigger version of California Trousseau, which is a relative comparison only. The freshness and lightness are still there, but the fruit shows much more compared to other examples. This is something on its own, not really cut from the mold of the Jura. Strongly herbal on day two, with a hint of something like Barolo Chinato. This is delicious wine, and it shows the potential for the grape to create something entirely new in California. -
2013 Arnot-Roberts Trousseau North Coast - USA, California, North Coast (12/15/2014)
A red wine defined by its lack of fruit… very rare to see a wine like this from California. The flavors are dominated by minerals and herbs and the impression on the palate is quite crisp. There is a slight sensation of something vegetal around the edges but it works with the wine and does not impair its impressive lightness. A lovely wine and probably the best vintage of Trousseau so far from Duncan and Nathan.