05 Oct Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Adroît 2020 Trousseau, Siletto Family Vineyards, Cienega Valley

Trousseau is an old red wine grape found in the Jura region in eastern France. In Portugal, it is called Bastardo and Merenzao. Once known as “Gray Riesling”, Trousseau was widely planted in California until the 1980s. There is not a lot planted in California today but there should be as it produces a deep cherry red wines with high acidity and flavors of red berry fruits and minerality. That is why I loved the Seabold Cellars Siletto Estate Adroît Trousseau, the Please The Palate wine of the week.

Adroît is one of three brands produced by Master Sommelier and winemaker Chris Miller, who also makes Seabold Cellars and BOLD Wine Co. Adroît wines explore California’s underappreciated winegrowing regions and grape varieties. It is a label of experimentation. I recently enjoyed the Adroît 2020 Colombard/Barbera Petillant-Naturel Rosé and now I immensely enjoyed the Trousseau.

The Trousseau comes from Siletto Family Vineyards in the Cienega Valley. First planted in 1992, the 29.52 acre vineyard has nine miscellaneous Italian and French varieties planted, including Trousseau. The wine is a whole cluster carbonic macerated wine and is aged in neutral barrels for 11 months.

The wine is light bodied with strawberry, cherry, and rose petal aromas. But there are also spice and savory notes. On the palate the wine has a roundness and mid-palate weight. This is a elegant and delicious wine. Put a chill on it and it is what the French call a “Glou, Glou”, a very drinkable wine.

The 2020 Adroît Trousseau retails for $30. adroit wines are available via mailing list. So, sign up today for access to this wine and others!