The Hedonistic Taster: Rosé Wines

Alpha Estate 2017 A Rosé is made from 100% Xinomavro grapes grown in the Amyndeon plateau of Greece.

The Hedonistic Taster

Rosé Wines

LM Archer is a fine wine, food and travel writer specializing in Bourgogne, bubbles and the business of wine.

by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne + Champagne Master Level

If you think rosé is a wine for summer, you are mistaken.

At best, rosés produced with thought and intention yields a wines of interest and complexity worthy of all seasons. At worst, they offer pretty, congenial iterations suitable for any sun-drenched situation. In all cases, rosé proves a libation meant to lighten and liven the soul year-round.

Enjoy this special rosé edition!

Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.

 

Alpha Estate 2017 A Rosé is made from 100% Xinomavro grapes grown in the Amyndeon plateau of Greece.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine:  Alpha Estate A Rosé – Amyndeon, Greece

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol:  13%

Link to Producer Specs here. 100% Xinomavro.

Suggested Retail: $24.99  

Robe: Soft rose petal pink hue.

Nose: Fresh red berry aroma-predominately raspberry and strawberry.

Bouche:   Red berry and pink grapefruit on the bouche. Light body, balanced acidity, lingering finish. Excellent with exotic fare such as Thai or Malaysian.

An accessible,  interesting, well-structured introduction to Greek wine produced in northwestern Macedonia from the native Xinomavro (“‘xino” translates to ‘acid’ in Greek, ‘mavro’ to ‘black’) grape.

Bonterra Organic Vineyards 2017 Young Red Rosé wine is best served chilled.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine:  Bonterra Organic Vineyards Young Red Rosé – Mendocino, CA.

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol:  13.6%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $16  

Robe:  Opaque ruby hue.

Nose:  Summer in a glassMarsh rose, red currant, grape popsicle aromas.

Bouche:  Red currant, floral, savory notes on the palate; light-medium body, acid-plus, soft finish.

It’s a fun riff on a very small niche – light red wines best served chilled, such as Beaujolais Nouveau – but instead of carbonic-macerated Gamay grapes grown on gnarly, granitic soils in southern Burgundy, this wine includes biodynamic fruit, including Malbec, sourced from the verdant Mendocino wine region of northern California.

 

Long Meadows Ranch 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir sources from Anderson Valley in Mendocino, CA.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine:  Long Meadow Ranch Rosé of Pinot Noir – Anderson Valley, CA.

Vintage:  2017

Alcohol:  13.5%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $25 

Robe:  Pale watermelon hue.

Nose:  Watermelon, strawberry aromas.

Bouche:  Intense acids turn watermelon and strawberry notes into a ‘Smartees” candy-like bite on the bouche. Light body, soft finish.

Note: SILVER, 2018 InternationalHarney Lane Winery & Vineyards 2017 Dry Rosé won Silver in the 2018 Women's Wine Competition.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine:  Harney Lane Winery & Vineyard Dry Rosé – Lodi, CA.

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol:  14.1%

Link to Producer Specs here. 

WINNER: Silver, 2018 International Women’s Wine Competition.

Suggested Retail: $18 

Robe: Vivid coral robe.

Nose:  Strawberry and ripe melon aromas.

Bouche:  Kiwi, salmonberry, slight melon notes; light body, well-rounded on the palate, clean finish.  Excellent quality, exceptional value wine.

Scotto Family Cellars 2017 Dry Sangiovese Rosé is produced in Lodi, CA.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine:  Scotto Family Cellars Dry Sangiovese Rosé – Lodi, CA.

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol:  13%

Link to 2016 Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $ 18

Robe:  Dark coral hue.

Nose:  Rose, geranium, red fruit aromas.

Bouche:  Plush watermelon, raspberry and cherry Jolly Roger candy notes; medium body, bright acids. Lovely food wine.  Excellent quality, exceptional value wine.

Victor Vineyards 2017 Dry Rosé is produced from Sangiovese grapes grown in Lodi, CA.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine:  Victor Vineyards Dry Rosé of Sangiovese – Lodi, CA.

Vintage:  2017

Alcohol:  13.9%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $20  

Robe:  Pale cantaloupe hue.

Nose:  Melon, savory sage, strawberry, raspberry; slight floral backnote.

Bouche:   Fleshy peach, nectarine, stone fruit notes; medium body, dry finish with slight residual sugar. Lodes of Lodi Mokelumne River complexity and richness.

Chronic Cellars Pink Pedals Rosé is comprised of 87% Grenache and 13% Syrah.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine:  Chronic Cellars Pink Pedals – Paso Robles, CA.

Vintage:  2017

Alcohol:  13 %

Link to Producer Specs here. 87% Grenache, 13% Syrah

Suggested Retail: $15 

Robe:  Coral robe.

Nose:   Sweet cranberry aromas.

Bouche:  Bubblegum in a bottle. Medium body.

Browne Family Grenache rosé is sourced from Canyon Vineyard Ranch in Washington state's Columbia Valley.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine:  Browne Family Vineyards Grenache Rosé – Columbia Valley, WA.

Vintage:  2017

Alcohol:  11.8%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $20  

Robe: Pale rose petal hue.

Nose:  Peach, gooseberry, wet stone  aromas.

Bouche:  Medium body, bright acids, stone fruit on the bouche; lingering finish. A lovely lilt of a wine.

Three Rivers Winery 2017 Rosé was produced from Gamache Syrah, Columbia Valley 70%, Rosebud Sangiovese, Wahluke Slope 27%, Bacchus Riesling, Columbia Valley 3%.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine:  Three Rivers Winery Rosé – Columbia Valley, WA.

Vintage: 2017

Alcohol:  12.4%

Link to Producer Specs here.

Suggested Retail: $20

Robe:  Pale coral robe.

Nose:  Grapefruit, stone fruit strawberry aromas.

Bouche:  Fuji apple, grapefruit, raspberry on the bouche; medium body, acid-plus, crisp finish. Yum.

Tranche Celalrs 2017 Pink Pape Rosé is sourced from Blackrock Estate Vineyard in Yakima Valley from the varietals Grenache, Counoise, and Cinsault.

TASTING NOTES:

Wine:  Tranche Pink Pape Rosé – Blackrock Vineyard Estate, Yakima Valley, WA.

Vintage:  2017

Alcohol:  12.8%

Link to Producer Specs here. 47% Grenache, 27% Counoise, 26% Cinsault.

Suggested Retail: $20  SOLD OUT.

Robe:  Pale rose petal robe.

Nose:   Floral aromas.

Bouche:  Red apple, stone fruit, Rainier cherry bouche; light body, balanced acids. An elegant wine that pairs well with seafood, especially crab cakes.

Have a favorite rosé? Leave your comments below – cheers!

More The Hedonistic Taster here.

Copyright © 2018 L.M. Archer. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

3 Comments

    1. Solid group – the Greek rosé surprised me most in quality and flavor, but those Lodi and WA rosés pack a punch in both value and quality. Cheers, Michelle!

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