Stoke Roussane 2023

Stoke Wines is an exciting, artisan producer emerging from Australia’s Kangaroo Island, a region renowned for cool-climate, terroir-driven wines. Founded with a focus on small-batch, minimal-intervention winemaking, Stoke quickly developed a loyal following among wine enthusiasts for expressive, elegantly crafted wines. Their 2023 Roussanne exemplifies this ethos, beautifully showcasing this Rhône varietal’s distinctive character, freshness, and subtle complexity, reflecting both varietal purity and the cool-climate charm of its origin.

Grown on elevated vineyard sites with gentle slopes and deep sandy loam soils layered over clay and limestone, Stoke’s Roussanne vines thrive in Kangaroo Island's maritime climate. Cool nights and slow, gentle ripening result in grapes retaining bright acidity and developing nuanced, aromatic complexity. Grapes are carefully hand-harvested and gently pressed, followed by fermentation and ageing in neutral French oak and stainless steel vessels, preserving freshness, varietal integrity, and subtle textural refinement.

Appearance: Brilliant, luminous pale gold with delicate straw reflections, showcasing remarkable clarity and brightness. Its medium viscosity gently coats the glass, revealing slow-forming, refined legs indicative of its elegant structure.

Aroma: Intriguing and expressive, with aromas of fresh white peach, ripe pear, and subtle apricot, complemented by delicate floral hints of honeysuckle and white blossoms. Gentle notes of almond pastry, subtle spice, and fresh herbs enhance its aromatic sophistication.

Taste: Elegantly balanced palate, delivering flavours of ripe peach, pear, and subtle citrus notes beautifully harmonised with nuances of almond, delicate honeycomb, and subtle spices. Its lively acidity and gentle, rounded texture offer impressive balance, freshness, and subtle complexity.

Finish: Graceful, persistent finish, echoing delicate orchard fruits, subtle spice notes, and mineral freshness. Its lingering acidity and subtly creamy texture provide a refined, refreshing aftertaste.

Food Pairing: Ideal paired with grilled white fish served alongside lemon-herb butter, roast chicken breast with creamy mushroom sauce, or fresh seafood linguine finished with garlic, lemon zest, and parsley.