The Hedonistic Taster
Rosé Wines
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.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Alpha Estate A Rosé – Amyndeon, Greece
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13%
Link to Producer Specs here. 100% Xinomavro.
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.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Bonterra Organic Vineyards Young Red Rosé – Mendocino, CA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.6%
Robe: Opaque ruby hue.
Nose: Summer in a glass. Marsh 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.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Long Meadow Ranch Rosé of Pinot Noir – Anderson Valley, CA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.5%
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.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Harney Lane Winery & Vineyard Dry Rosé – Lodi, CA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.1%
WINNER: Silver, 2018 International Women’s Wine Competition.
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.
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.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Victor Vineyards Dry Rosé of Sangiovese – Lodi, CA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.9%
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.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Chronic Cellars Pink Pedals – Paso Robles, CA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13 %
Link to Producer Specs here. 87% Grenache, 13% Syrah
Robe: Coral robe.
Nose: Sweet cranberry aromas.
Bouche: Bubblegum in a bottle. Medium body.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Browne Family Vineyards Grenache Rosé – Columbia Valley, WA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 11.8%
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.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Three Rivers Winery Rosé – Columbia Valley, WA.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12.4%
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.
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!
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Copyright © 2018 L.M. Archer. All Rights Reserved.