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
A Rosé with a darker hue…Cerasuolo is the grape (the name comes from cerasa, which is cherry in the local dialect…gives you an idea of the taste). Yep, the wild red cherry pops out along with fresh raspberry, pomegranate, fresh violets and a little black pepper on the Torre Zambra Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo. Very fine tannins rub the gums on the finish. I’ll drink the very dry, peach skin colored Provence Rosés morning noon and night. But to pair with food (almost any food – honest), I want to drink THIS. This is an incredible value and should be purchased by […]
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).
July 23, 2018
A house favorite, and a Napa Valley favorite, the Allimant Laugner Cremant d’Alsace Brut Rose is 100% Pinot Noir, methode traditionelle (in line with the French appellation laws of Cremant. This is a delicious $20 or under sparkling. Medium dosage for Brut, meaning you can pick up a twinge of sweetness. Strawberry, blood orange, rose petal, medium acidity for bubbles. It’s all nicely balanced, perky and clean. This is a big time crown pleaser. On that note, look for Magnums – if your wine shop has the 750s, they can probably get the magnums. Price should be just double the […]
May 16, 2018
Very friendly, dry Rosé from Terra Alta in Spanish Catalonia. Picked for Rosé and direct press (Intentional Rosé), this wine has all the delicious qualities of Grenache/Garnacha/Garnatxa. Strawberries, watermelon, fresh pink roses, a dusting of black pepper. Big chill it and drink with gusto. Visit my complete list of Rosé wines here.
May 7, 2018
Zweigelt and St Laurent, two red grapes most associated with Austria, make this delicious Rosé wine. Smell and taste red plums, raspberries, blood orange, cracked pepper and basil. Dry as can be, a sizzle of acidity, both refreshing and substantial. This winner is a bargain amongst bargains. Schloss Gobelsburg continues to be one of Austria’s best and best-knows top tier wineries. You are assured to have a good wine in your hands if it’s from Gobelsburg. Good news is that their wines are quite available in California.
May 2, 2018
Ancient wine appellation Corbieres in South Central France continues to make solid, great value wines. Here’s a great example. Grapes are 50% Picpoul Noir, 25% Grenache, 25% Syrah. A darker color and textured mouthfeel makes me think it’s saignee but I don’t know this for sure. Smell and taste fresh strawberries and plums plus tobacco, cola and raw prime beef. I like the texture – not too light nor too heavy. And has a healthy acidity to it. Sign me up for a case, please.
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
Lovely, fruit-driven, bright acidity Rose from Germany’s Nahe region (not as well known as Mosel, but equally good). Smell and taste watermelon Jolly Ranchers, wild strawberries (including the stem), orangy citrus and fresh violets. I really like the bright acidity and the ideal ripeness of the 2017 Kruger Rumpf Pinot Noir Rose. This is a great buy for $20 or under.
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 […]