"The 2023 Trousseau is bold and effusive from start to finish. Soaring floral and savory aromatics make a strong opening statement. Dried flowers, alpine herbs, mint, rose petal, and wild cherry open with a bit of coaxing. The Trousseau is terrific in 2023. This is such a gorgeous wine. Drink 2025 - 2031." - Antonio Galloni, 92 points.
It's hard for me to think of Arnot-Roberts and not think of their Trousseau. They certainly make other great wines, but when I first met Nathan Roberts and Duncan Arnot back in 2013, this was the first red wine of theirs we tried, and it blew me away.
The dynamic duo of Arnot and Roberts still make it, albeit in extremely limited quantities (27 barrels), and it's just as good today as it was then. We were one of the lucky few shops in NC to get an allocation of this singular wine, and "red wine adventurers" are going to love it!
2023 Arnot Roberts Trousseau North Coast
93 points Decanter, 92 points Vinous Media
On Sale: $41.99/bottle and standard volume discounting applies.
10% off in mixed or solid six-packs, 20% off in mixed or solid cases or more!
48 bottles up for grabs, and that's it for the vintage!
So, what the heck is Trousseau? Native to the Jura region of France, just east of Burgundy, the grape has gained quite the following amongst wine geeks, natural wine lovers, and hipsters for its light, fresh, and funky style. While I like Trousseau from Jura, some of them get a bit too funky for me. The version from Arnot Roberts, while maintaining a lovely earthiness, is a bit more refined, and I love it!
How did such an esoteric variety make its way to California? We have Chilean-born Bernie Luchsinger to thank for that. Bernie arrived in California in the mid-60's as part of a Farm Bureau exchange in Kelseyville, and he never left. He spent the next 30+ years visiting universities and vineyards to study viticulture, and in 1998, he and his daughter bought 10 acres of vineyard land in Lake County. Today, he supplies grapes to a range of clients, from the small Arnot Roberts (2,000 cases total each year, and they make many wines) to behemoths like Beringer (millions of cases per year).
If it wasn't for Bernie, I do not think Trousseau would have ever made it to California, and why he chose to plant this obscure grape remains a mystery?? All I can say is that I'm glad he planted it, and that's because this is a fun and glorious bottle of wine made by two of our country's most passionate and talented vignerons.
Duncan and Nathan love Jura Trousseau, and they were inspired to make this wine by the legendary Jacques Puffeney, one of the icons of the Jura. I believe Jacques would be pleased with the Arnot Roberts Trousseau, as it captures the essence of the varietal. Delicate yet profound, this pale-colored red unfolds in the glass to reveal aromas and flavors of earthy, spicy cherry, strawberry, savory herbs, rose petal, and more.
For lovers of earthy Red Burgundies and funky Cru Beaujolais', you really need to get this into your glass. It would also excel at the dinner table with duck, smoked meats, pate, and mushrooms. You can also give it a little chill in the fridge (20-30 minutes), and just sip away!
