All of Matt East’s Rouleur wines are so crisp and refined – more about subtlety than anything outrageous. It works, especially in his super takes on McLaren Vale reds. This Rouleur Pinot Gris et al 2020 blend is a perfect example – a skin contact Pinot Gris (plus Chardonnay & Gewurz) that despite the wilder intentions, ends up so well mannered. Maybe too well mannered, in fact.
Sourced from a vineyard in Woori Yallock, in the Upper Yarra and another at Silvan, with half of the blend spending 5 days on skins (the rest pressed straight away). Partial barrel ferment, and then matured in old oak for 6 months. It shows a whisper of barrel-fermented caramel cream and some mandarin skin, orange wine tang, but it’s mostly a fresh wine. In fact, I’d like the flavours to be dialled up even more to go to more profound levels. Do it, Matt, make it wild in the future! Regardless, the net result is a skin-contact white with a delicate touch. No wonder it’s already sold out.
Rouleur Pinot Gris et al 2020. Best drinking: nowish, or next year. 17.7/20, 92/100. 12.2%, $35. Rouleur website. Would I buy it? Yes, I’d share a bottle.
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2 Comments
Hi Andrew,
Great review as always. It feels like we’re seeing more and more blends hit the scene via these smaller producers!
Out of curiosity does Rouleur still lie in the “sleeper” category in your opinion? I just so rarely see it pop up on other forums for discussion. Had the pleasure of trying their pinots myself and can see why you hold them in high regard.
Definitely in the sleeper category. Like a whole smorgasbord of quality producers. So well priced too!