Rosé
2016 Kerloo Cellars, Painted Hills Grenache Rosé
Columbia Valley, Washington
Stunning from start to finish. The color resembles cantaloupe consommé, clear and brilliant. Aromas are bright, fresh and vibrant with a tropical touch. Loaded with guava, wild strawberry, ruby grapefruit, under-ripe pineapple, green apple and melon that carries notes of white flowers, lemongrass and delicate pink peppercorn scents. The palate translates completely. Vibrant acidity rushes in with flavors of ruby red grapefruit, guava, cantaloupe, wild strawberry, green apple and pineapple that shows an edge of delicate white flowers, lemongrass and the delicate floral spice of pink peppercorn
2016 Toil, Rosé of Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, Oregon
This new Oregon project from Chris Figgins of Leonetti and Figgins Winery in Washington state focuses on Pinot Noir and this is the inaugural release for the rosé. This very limited production (160 cases) rosé of Pinot Noir is flat out the best rosé I have ever tasted!
Made 100% from the 777 clone of Pinot Noir, the fruit for this was treated to make a rosé and not a by-product of the red wine production. This is bursting with notes of strawberry rhubarb pie, fresh picked raspberries, roses and hints of saline and mineral. Impeccably balanced and elegant.
2016 Chehalem, Rosé of Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, Oregon
The color is reminiscent of a Provence rosé; light salmon pink with a touch of orange, crystal clear, and glistening for summer. The aromatics are clearly from Pinot Noir, but with a lighter edge; highlights of dried flowers and yellow rose, line-dried linens, powdered Kool-aid, and grapefruit peel. The palate is as refreshing as are the color and nose, with strawberries and cream, honeycomb, fresh basil, and a slight phenolic texture that rounds out the bright, crisp finish and lets the wine linger on your tongue. Perfect for a BBQ, beach, aperitif, or sunset.
2016 Caves D’Esclans, Whispering Angel Rosé
Côtes de Provence, France
This wine, for me, has become the benchmark for Provencal rosé and remains one of the world’s greatest.
The blend consists of destemmed Grenache, Rolle (Vermentino) and Cinsault fermented in stainless steel with Batônnage twice weekly.
Exceedingly fresh and clean aromas of light strawberry, white peach, ruby grapefruit and lemon with notes of mineral, river stone and hints of lavender.
2017 Jules Taylor, OTQ Rosé
Marlborough, New Zealand
Stunning from start to finish. This single vineyard Rosé is comprised of 100% Pinot Noir and is all free run juice. This Rosé is brimming with light summer fruits with pomegranate and raspberry, yet it summons patisserie accents with hints of baked fig, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bright and lifted with soft floral notes of white jasmine. Captivating upon entry exhibiting bright and fresh red summer fruits followed by subtle tones of natural honeydew and Manuka flower. The most compelling thing about this wine is its balance between crisp dryness and its mouth-watering acidity. Tantalizing and refreshing.
2017 Triennes, Rosé
Var IGP, Méditerranée IGP, France
With two of Burgundy’s greatest names – Jacques Seysses, founder of Domaine Dujac, and Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti – the partners behind this pioneering property in Provence, how could you go wrong?
This gorgeous Rosé is primarily Cinsault with smaller amounts of Grenache, Syrah and Merlot. The bouquet is loaded with fresh cantaloupe, strawberries, delicate white flowers and traces of salt and lavender.
The palate shows bright acidity along with a suppleness not commonly found in Provencal Rosé. Bright acid is balanced with the fruit notes that again echo cantaloupe, strawberry and white peach with flowers, and minerals.
2017 Antidoto, Roselito
Ribera del Duero, Spain
This is Roselito, younger sister to Le Rosé. The traditional ‘coupage’ of Albillo (20%) and Tinto Fino (80%) from old vines result in this notably original wine. Direct pressing with whole bunches mixing red and white grapes.
Gorgeous aromas mix bright raspberry and strawberry fruit with cherry and pomegranate notes along with trace of rose petal, potpourri, and sea salt.
The palate shows great intensity and textures with bright, fresh acidity. Flavors follow suit from the nose to reveal raspberry, cherry, pomegranate and strawberry fruits with notes of rose hip, lavender and mineral. The finish is persistent.
2017 Pasqua, Rosé 11 minutes
Veronese IGT, Italy
The new rosé interpretation by Famiglia Pasqua is a fine blend created from native varietals like Corvina and Trebbiano di Lugana along with varietals like Syrah and Carmenère. Only 11 minutes of skin contact to produce the gorgeous pink-rose color.
Inviting aromas start shy but become more confident as the temperature rises slightly. Scents of delicate flower petals mingle with sea spray, strawberry consommé, watermelon and hints of crushed pink peppercorn.
The palate shows bright and fresh flavors of just picked sequoia strawberry, raspberry, watermelon and a trace of pomegranate before revealing additional notes of florals, Himalayan salt and a trace of spice. This wine shines in its balance and nuance. The delicious finish lingers effortlessly.
2017 Lenné Estate, Pinot Noir Le Nez Saignée Rosé
Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon
On the nose this is vivacious with aromas that show bright cherry and ripe watermelon that weave into notes of spice, rose petal, brioche, minerals and rhubarb.
The palate shows great intensity in flavors and exuberant acidity. Juicy flavors of watermelon, cherry, pomegranate and rhubarb show well with the elegant notes of rose, lavender, spice, brioche and lingering minerality. Long through the graceful finish. Transparent and captivating
2018 Domaine Houchart, Rosé, Côtes du Provence
Provence, France
Domaine Houchart is located at the foot of Mount St Victoire near Aix en Provence. This region is part of the new, higher level, appellation" Cotes de Provence, St Victoire". This salmon colored rosé is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon and It's special freshness comes from the unique method of harvesting, where the grapes are immediately placed in gondolas filled with CO2 gas and covered with thermal blankets, to exclude oxygen and keep the grapes cool under the hot Provencal sun. Vibrant aromas of fresh strawberries, raspberries and citrus highlights brings in notes of garden flowers, lavender and mineral scents. The palate is bright and fresh with great acidity. Details of raspberry, strawberry, cherry and citrus on the palate with hibiscus, lavender and saline.
2018 Chateau Minuty, Rosé 28
Cotes de Provence AOP, France
This luxury Rosé is pale pink with crystal reflections.
Mostly Grenache, with a touch of Syrah and Cinsault, all hand picked.
While the color might be pale the aromas are certainly more intense revealing notes of white peach and cherry with cantaloupe, lavender, salty minerals and iodine.
The palate shows even more intensity and depth with a bright acid structure. Fresh flavors of white cherry, white peach, cantaloupe, lavender and mineral. Persistent through the long vivid finish.
2018 Ixsir, Grand Reserve Rosé
Lebanon
40% Mourvedre, 40% Cinsaut and 20% Syrah.
Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus consults.
This is a barrel aged rosé from Lebanon that offers notes of strawberry and cream, raspberry, cherry juice, flowers and wet stone alongside a touch of spice. Quite delicate and elegant on the palate despite the oak influence. Refreshing acidity provides nice cut. Flavors of delicate raspberry, strawberries and cream, flower petals, spice and mineral notes. The finish is lengthy and graceful.
2019 Résonance, Pinot Noir Rosé
Willamette Valley, Oregon
100% Pinot Noir. Limited skin contact method.
Bright and fresh aromas of raspberry, strawberry, watermelon, cranberry and pomegranate mingle with notes of rock salt, rose water and river rock.
The palate is bright and pops with flavor and bright acidity. Notes of watermelon, raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate and cranberry with nuances of rose water, lavender, bubblegum and a streak of saline. The finish lingers.
2019 Castello di Ama, Rosato ‘Purple Rose’
Toscana IGT, Italy
100% Sangiovese that is produced in the saignée method after 12 hours of skin contact; 30% fermented in twice-used barriques.
This rosé carries purple hues as the name suggests. The nose shows a wonderful bouquet of cherries, strawberries, rose hip, spice and minerals. A full bodied rosé that has lively acidity and smooth textures. Bountiful red fruit flavors of cherry, strawberry and pomegranate come with floral highlights, spice and mineral and lingers through the finish.
