All my favorite Roussanne and Marsanne wines have always been French, all that changed last month when I tasted Avennia’s La Perle from Columbia Valley.
This is a blend of 78% Roussanne and 22% Marsanne and is everything you could possibly want from these varietals.
The man behind this exceptional wine is Chris Peterson, former winemaker with DeLille Cellars who, as history has seen, is known for making rich, elegant, and balanced wines.
Enticing aromas of ripe pear, Mayer lemons, Beeswax, and a potpourri of tropical fruits lead by bananas- almost like a tropical breeze. There is a perceived richness on the nose that I am hoping is on the palate.
The palate has the same richness that is underpinned by a subtle note of saline, and mouthwatering acidity that is persuasive, if not downright seductive. Intertwined layers of beeswax, bananas, guava skin, and mangos with subtle hints of pear. There is impressive texture, depth, and complexity in this wine. Wonderful length that gives you enough time to pour yourself another glass.
I am thinking this will cellar out another 6 – 8 years. I would not be at all surprised if it goes 10-plus years with improvements.
Re pairings, treat it like a Chardonnay: shellfish, seafood, and chicken dishes.
OK, that is the good news, the ‘bad’ news is, that they only made 153 cases in total and most go to cellar door and club sales, and only a handful of cases made it into Indiana.
Scored 95 Pt from Owen Bargreen.
Vine to Table 