La Boheme Act One Sauvignon Semillon Rolle 2010

89 points 

This is one for wine nerds. Rolle was until relatively recently exclusive to the obscure Ballet AOC in the southeast of Provence with a total (all grape) area of 60 ha. It is now grown more widely in Roussillon, the French accepting it as Vermentino, the Italians disagreeing. The wine is clean and fresh, yet also suprisingly supple.

James Halliday , 1001 Wines under $20 2012, December 2011

89 Points

no review given, just rated

James Halliday, Wine Companion 2012, August 2011

"Best known as the italian variety vermentino, rolle adds a savoury note, accentuated by a partial maturation of older casks. It's textural richness makes it an excellent foil for grilled sardines."

Peter Bourne, The Age / Sydney Morning Herald, March 2011

91 Points
"They must be having some fun at De Bortoli because every time I look a new label appears, and they haven't missed a trick yet. This is a great confluence of zesty citrus with the breadth of almost-ripe white nectarines, exotic figs and guavas and just the right hint of funk to keep things interesting."

Tyson Stelzer, Wine 100, March 2011

"Here's something to sing about from De Bortoli's Yarra Valley winery. La Boheme honours the Yarra's opera legend Dame Nellie Melba and is brimming with delicate citrus and stonefruit flavours, savoury notes, vibrant."

, Illawarra Mercury, February 2011

4/5 Pretty Good
"Out of De Bortoli's Yarra operation, this works a third variety into the more usual sauvignon blanc and semillon blend, here labelled as Rolle, aka vermentino. With some barrel ferment and yeast lees work, a relatively neutral aroma develops into a pretty, textural, ripe-fruited, lime-juiced tropical combo. A neat summer snacker over fruits, cheeses and casual light pasta."

Tony Love, Herald Sun / Daily Telegraph / Adelaide Advertiser, February 2011

91 Points
"Here's a drop that has been giving wine-writers palpitations; its had amazing reviews and most I concur with but some are a little full-on and I think its mainly to do with the odd little grape variety called Rolle; its given writers something to latch on to. Rolle in France where its mainly planted down south around Niece but better known as Vermentino as found in Italy. Anyhow the point being its a good drop that is very well put together with defined begining middle and end."

Tony Keys, , February 2011

"A slight twist to the normal Australian Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend with the 'Rolle' (AKA 'Vermentino') adding lighter, subtle dry, savoury textures and complexities. There's a lot to like about this wine, with a bit of everything there to please most palates and is best served with food. Terrific stuff."

Jon Helmer, Surf Coast Times and Bellarine Times, December 2010