WTN: d'Arenberg "The Money Spider" Rousanne 2004

McLaren Vale.

A very lively nose, peppery with pine resin.

Oily texture, bitter grapefruit rind, tart lemon and lime, some creaminess, intense gooseberry and some herbal notes.

With time, the wine became quite bitter with gooseberry and grapefruit rind dominating and the wine became quite annoying and grating.

Long, tart finish, with grapefruit rind and gooseberry.

This is a style that people will either love or hate. I am in the latter category and my wife and I were unable to finish the bottle (which is a major statement in our house!!)

Have had bottles from previous vintages and, while they were quite peppery and citrusy, I don't recall there being this extreme.

FWIW, the back label claims this is the McLaren Vale's "first ever Rousanne."

Screwcap closure.

Good on you for posting one of my fav. whites Bruce. I know where you are coming from but this wine is tops in my books. Will try to look up some tasting notes!!

[Jenise]

Interesting, a roussane from the McClaren Vale. Not crazy about MV whites at all, found them mostly too creamy, a word I notice you also use. This one sounds a bit odd: if you hadn't mentioned roussanne, I'd have sworn you were describing a sauv blanc.