d'Arenberg Money Spider Roussanne is an example of a Southern Rhône varietal that seems to succeed in the Vale. A pale lemony colour, this dry white is quite unctuous and luscious. Quite exotic tasting – like a dry lemon and honey drink with hints of spice, orange peel.
Winery notes (2024 Vintage)
"The first crop of Roussanne from the 2000 vintage was covered in tiny ‘Money Spiders’. Popular belief is that kindness to these creatures will bring good luck, so Chester refrained from sending the spiders to their death. By the next year the Money Spiders had relocated, making the first release of this wine in 2001.
A luminous straw hue with a hint of yellow, this wine reveals elevated aromas of honeydew, rockmelon, preserved lemon, and macadamia. The palate is concentrated with layers of melon, yellow peach, and macadamia, offering a creamy texture complemented by a focused acidity that underscores its dense and powerful profile. Exemplifying complexity and balance, this wine is a sophisticated expression of its varietal."
90/100 Erin Larkin, RobertParker.com, Wine Advocate, October 2024 (2024 Vintage)
"The 2024 The Money Spider Roussanne is textural and savoury, with a plush middle palate and layers of tropical fruit, white flowers and pineapple husk, white pepper, green apple and quinine. Nicely packaged little wine here—neat. Exciting drinking. Ripe."