August 27, 2019
The inimitable, prolific Yves Cuilleron makes a few thousand cases of this saignée Rosé, all Syrah from his hometown of Chavanay (which is the southern end of Condrieu in the Northern Rhone Valley.) The wine’s prettiness and relative delicacy doesn’t make me think saignée. Get the raspberries, strawberries and cherries along with a lime-y citrus and, naturally, cracked black pepper. It’s very dry and easy to like, especially on the finish when an earnest berry flavor kicks in. I poured this wine at the Yves Cuilleron tasting I led. It won the room over – all 20 of us. The […]
July 16, 2019
Orange and peach skin color. Smells and tastes “Trés Provence Rosé,” i.e. as much dried citrus and stone fruit flavors as berries + rocky, peppery, dry herbal, floral flavors. (Sooo Provence) Fuller, almost creamy texture may make you think this is too much for rose, but it’s just right. The fuller body drifts off, leaving the basket of fruits and savory flavors in the 15-20 second finish. While $30 is a lot for any Rose, the Gros Noré justifies the price. Made from 50% Mourvedre and Grenache & Cinsault making up the the other 50%.
July 8, 2019
Made from 90% Grenache Gris, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Carignan. Grapes destemmed, combined and later either drained off or lightly pressed. The wine sports a Bandol/Provence-like orange color and tastes less berry and more blood orange, orange zest, white pepper and dry herb in style. Bright citrus-heavy fruit, snap of acidity and satisfying finish of crushed rocks, light strawberry and orange tea. Epic wine importer Kermit Lynch has imported Domaine de Fontsainte wines for 30 years. The rosé is the workhorse wine of the bunch: larger production, consistently good and a fantastic value. This is a sure thing winner for fans […]
August 7, 2018
Southern Rhone Valley, very dry Rosé made from Cinsault, Mourvedre mostly, with a little Grenache and Syrah. Smell and taste dried orange zest, dried pink rose petals, white pepper, crushed thyme & tarragon on the Chateau d’Or et Gueules Rose Les Cimels. Has higher acidity (I call it mouth-watering acidity) and a less fruit/more earthy finish. In the whole realm of Rosé styles, this is more Provence style (less fruity, very dry) than Rhone style (more berries and not so acidic).
May 2, 2018
A Southern Rhone Valley combo of 50% Grenache, 50% Carignane. This sports an attractive nose of ripe strawberry, raspberry, peach and lime. The taste is bright as a sunny summer day: a smack of acidity with the red fruits holding up to the tang. Classic bits of peppercorn, thyme and fennel ring in. Overall, a tasty Rosé that starts with fruit then surprises with the acidity. Drink up and be happy.
April 23, 2018
Made from 80% Gamay and 20% Mondeuse from Carrel’s Estate vineyards in the Savoie, base of the French Alps. Refreshing acidity, crisp red fruits, citrus zest, suggestions of fine herbs and peppery spice define this light, intense, very food-friendly Rosé. The texture is spot-on…the short time resting on its lees before bottling gives the wine needed mouth feel. This is very dry without being tart. Great with food – I think a cold salmon mousse would be just about the perfect match! More Information The Carrel is picked for Rosé: pressed off, fermented in tank, arrested ML fermentation, briefly aged […]
April 22, 2018
Sourced from Calot’s mature Morgon vineyards. All saignée, fermented and aged in tank for a New York minute. Fruit-forward (red plums, wild cherries) with a faint soil, green tea and dried flower flavor on the just before and during the 10 second finish. Real pretty and happy with an element of serious, of-the-earth character to keep you respectful. I’m very happy buying this wine for low to mid $20s.
April 22, 2018
Venerable Bandol winery consistently produces a fleshy, serious Rosé from 2/3rd Mourvedre, 1/3rd Cinsault from terraced, 50 year old vines. The Provence Rosé peach skin/orange color is deeper than most, which leads you down the path of typically savory/spicy smells & flavors, but just more of them. Get dried cherry, peach, melon, tea, tobacco leaf and meat stock (just a hint). Cashmere texture…very pleasing. With all the quality $15-20 Rosé available, it takes a lot to call out a $40 bottling as a good buy. That said, this is from the Rosé capital of the world, and it’s a step […]
April 8, 2018
The cuveé (blend) is 1/3rd Syrah, 1/3rd Grenache and 1/3rd Cinsault & Rolle (Rolle being a white grape). Smell and taste fresh spring flowers, peppercorns, red plums and canteloupe, orange zest and peach. Boasts a creaminess on the palate that comes from the region and the lactic acid (ML is allowed, I am told). All tank aged. I know this Rosé so well…for around ten vintages it was the #1 selling Rosé for me at Back Room Wines. For good reason as its fruit, dryness, spice and floral qualities are in harmony every year. And the price is still very […]
March 14, 2018
An ever-so-subtle smell of flavor of red currant and sun-dried cherry clings to grapefruit, lime and crushed rock in this perky, super-refreshing “Pet-Nat” (single fermentation wine that finishes in bottle). A delicious, very dry sparkler that balances, just so, its fruit, high acidity and lees-aged character. A delicious, unique wine that is a steal for under $30! All Gamay. called Triple Zero because it is Zero Chaptalization, Zero Liqueur at bottling, Zero dosage. Ferment and aged 2 years on its lees in neutral barrel before bottling to finish fermentation. Taille Aux Loups is the property of Mountlouis producer Jacky Blot […]
February 20, 2018
Textbook Rosé Champagne smell and taste of strawberry, wild cherry and cranberry lead the way. Orange scone, red apple and faint yellow rose petal follow behind. Great fruitiness, partly explained by the 10 G/L dosage, which falls squarely in the Brut range as it lifts the fruity flavors up. This is a sure-fire hit for everyone except those who like their Champagne SUPER-dry. The Ponsons are a fifth-generation Grower Champagne family/producer (they own and farm their grapes). The blend on their Rosé is 69% Pinot Meunier then Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 15% red wine is added to the cuvee before […]