The Money Spider Roussanne 2023, D’Arenberg

d’Arenberg planted Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne in the mid 1990’s, and the first crop of Roussanne from the 2000 vintage was covered in a sea of tiny “Money Spiders” (Erigoninae). Popular belief is that kindness to these little creatures will bring good luck, hopefully in the form of money. Being a nature-lover and slightly superstitious, Chester refrained from sending the spiders to their death. Hence the first release of Roussanne was from the 2001 vintage, by which time the Money Spiders had learned their lesson and moved from the vineyard to the surrounding bushland. The nose exhibits a whole array of characters from stone fruits and tropical notes through to nuttiness and an ever so delicate hint of Indian spice. The palate is robust! A luscious mix of pulpy fruit, green mango and papaya. These full flavours gently give way to honey blossom nuances and savoury pistachio notes which linger to a very long finish, adding refinement to the palate.