The Foundry Roussanne 2013

Not The Nine O’Clock News,

The Roussanne from Vieilles Vignes (“Old Vines) from southern Rhône producer Beaucastel is the stuff of legend. What might be wrought from the variety here? Total plantings at the end of 2013 amounted to 51.96ha, making it SA’s 45^th most planted variety.

The Foundry 2013 is the own label of Meerlust winemaker Chris Williams and grapes come off a 1ha block planted on granite soil in the Hedlerberg. Whole bunch pressed, fermented and matured for seven months in seasoned 300-litre French oak barrels.

It’s quite shy on the nose but there’s plenty of stone fruit on the palate. Rich but balanced – good fruit concentration offset by an acidity that provides real tingle on the tongue. The finish is long and pithy, tending to bitter – a little bitterness not always a bad thing on a wine. Wine Cellar price: R120 a bottle.

Score: 92/100.