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Wine Recommendation
Roudon-Smith Winery
2004 Duet(Central Coast)
Roudon-Smith is a label that goes way back to the early 1970s in Scotts Valley. Founded by a couple of engineers, Bob Roudon and Jim Smith, the winery carried on the rich and long-standing Santa Cruz County winemaking tradition begun by the Jarvis brothers in the early 1860s. Taking over for these two pioneers, partners Al Drewke and Annette Hunt are carrying on their fine winemaking operation on Bean Creek Road in Scotts Valley. The name “Duet” refers to the continuing collaboration of two families in this venture, as they begin a new era for the historic winery.
The fruit for this wine comes from two small vineyards: one in the Santa Cruz Mountains and one from Santa Clara Valley, hence the Central Coast appellation. There is definitely Santa Cruz Mountains fruit here: you begin with an unmistakable aroma of rich, dark earth, beets, baked plums, leather and juniper. The flavors from the warmer Santa Clara Valley-sourced Bordeaux fruit really kick in on the palate: blackberries, raspberries, and a hint of currants along with dark Baker’s chocolate on the palate. Then, the herbs take a reprise with tarragon and juniper. The fruits and the herbs keep doing this nice little duet: All in all, a wine with a dual, but harmonious, personality.
(Alc: 13.6%, Price: $25)
Reviewed August 31, 2007 by Laura Ness.
Other Awards & Accolades
Silver Medal -- 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Other reviewed wines from Roudon-Smith Winery
The Wine
Winery: Roudon-Smith Winery |
The Reviewer
Laura Ness
A wine writer and wine judge for major publications and competitions around the country, Laura Ness likens wine to the experience of music. She is always looking for that ubiquitous marriage of rhythm, melody, and flawless execution. What is good music? You know it when you get lost in it. What is good wine? It is music in your mouth. |