Mumm Napa DVX Rosé 2009
Perhaps my favorite in a lineup of Mumm Napa sparklers I’ve tasted over the past few months, the 2009 DVX Rosé is alive with aromas of macerated strawberry, red apple skins and a really nice though quite subtle earthiness. A 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the DVX spends four years en tirage, and […]
Domaine de la Sanglière la Riviera Côtes De Provence Rosé 2015
Fragrant, very ripe cantaloupe flesh and some of the skin as well, co-mingling with a bit of papaya followed by wafting mineral notes of sea foam and salt. It’s quite lean on the palate, with minimal fruit—I’d like to see a bit more fullness, more fleshiness, to balance the high-toned acidity in this salmon-hued Côtes […]
Domaine Houchart Rosé Côtes De Provence 2015
The 2015 Domaine Houchart Rosé exhibits sweetness at the core verging on Watermelon Jolly Rancher, along with fresh, poppy notes of white peach and apricot. The wine label notes that the a blanket of CO<sub>2 </sub>is applied to the grapes during harvest in order to preserve freshness. I’d say they’ve achieved that goal<sub>, </sub>this is […]
Domaine Sainte Lucie Côtes de Provence MiP Rosé 2015
According to the website, MiP Rosé is a blend of 60% Cinsault, 20% Syrah, 20% Grenache. A bit of a mystery—my label is black vs. the winery website, which shows a white label—and the profile is nothing like the typical Provençal blend listed above. If anything, it screams Sauvignon Blanc, with aromas of guava and […]
Domaine de l’Amaurigue Fleur de l’Amaurigue Côtes de Provence Rosé 2014
My first Provençal rosé of the season, garnering 4 stars because of its excellent price point (under $10), the 2015 Fleur de L’Amaurigue Côtes de Provence is light and lively. Robed in a delicate salmon pink, perfumy aromas of cantaloupe, field strawberry, white flowers and a touch of wet stone greet the taster. It’s light […]
Paul & Phillippe Zinck Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé NV
This charming Cramant d’Alsace from Domaine Zinck is graced with an abundantly pretty and welcoming nose of pie cherries, wet stones, and cinnamon bark. It’s a delicate salmon pink, with an equally delicate mousse. Subtle blood orange-tinged sweetness is dominated by a profoundly minerally texture—oyster shells, limestone, and chalk lend complexity to a mouthwatering finish. […]
Bollinger Champagne Brut Rosé NV
Bollinger’s NV Brut Rosé is unfettered elegance, with a shimmering salmon robe and ultra-fine mousse, the nose displays freshly macerated strawberries and raspberries, rose petals and spice. It’s all neatly corseted modest toast, with creaminess at the mid-palate lending depth and weight, softening an otherwise be a bony spine. There is minerality here too, but […]
Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir Rosé 2015
Stoller Family Estate’s Dundee Hills Pinot Noir Rosé is fresh and vibrant, and proved to be a fine match with yesterday’s fare of roasted chicken with Herbs de Provence and golden beet salad. Aromas of underripe strawberry, blood orange and, interestingly, a dusty top note. The palate echoes the nose, layer in pink grapefruit pith […]
J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV
J Vineyards is the only domestic sparkling wine producer I’ve seen with a Coquard press, which is de rigueur in Champagne, but not so across the pond. Their NV Brut Rosé is a spirited blend of 66% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and 1% Pinot Meunier, all from the Russian River Valley. The mousse is lively […]
Soter Mineral Springs Brut Rosé 2011
I was pleasantly surprised by this sparkling blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir. The 2011 Mineral Springs Brut Rosé has spent three years en tirage, further it’s hand riddled and production is limited to 50 cases. Salmon-hued with a delicate mousse, it’s a lovely juxtaposition between fruit and brisk acidity. Racy tangerine and […]