Domaine du Tunnel
Domaine du Tunnel is situed in an old steam train tunnel in the charming village of Saint-Péray in the Northern Rhône...
This small family domaine is run by Stéphane Robert and his wife Sandrine. Stéphane, also the winemaker, began in 1994 when he was just twenty-four years old by renting vines. He now owns 10 hectares of his own vines located in Cornas, Saint-Péray and Saint Joseph.
Vineyards
Domaine du Tunnel’s Roussanne comes from the lieu dits Barras, Grand Plantier, Combe and l‘Arzalier. The Barras vineyard, where a large portion of Roussanne is planted, is at 250m altitude, providing crisp acidity and aromatics to the blend. John Livingstone-Learmonth writes in his book, The Wines of the Northern Rhône, “St- Péray is home to some of the best Roussanne in the northern Rhône, not only mature vines but younger vines taken from fine old rootstock as well.”
Vintage information
After a ‘powerful‘ vintage in 2009 and a very balanced vintage in 2010, 2011 offered plenty of fruit, freshness and body. Following a hot spring and early flowering, summer was relatively cool and wet which slowed ripening. September was sunny and warm and the vines were able to ripen. The long ripening conditions of 2011 gave the Roussanne delicate aromatic characters, elegance and fresh acidity.
Vinification
The Saint-Péray Roussanne is fermented in a combination of stainless steel and four to five year old barriques, and is aged on its lees for a further nine months.
Tasting Notes
The Roussanne has delicate aromas of white flowers and grapefruit with lively acidity, concentration and a long finish. The blending of several parcels and vats gives the wine wonderful complexity.
Vintage information
| Vintage | 2011 |
| Grape varieties |
100% Roussanne |
| Region | Northern Rhône |
| Winemaker | Stephane Robert |
| Alcohol (ABV) | 13.5% |
Trade customers
Liberty Wines customers can order this wine directly from us.