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Rivolta Le Mongolfiere A San Bruno Aglianico del Taburno Rosato 2012

Rivolta Le Mongolfiere A San Bruno Aglianico del Taburno Rosato 2012

Of all of the rosé wines I’ve tried this year, Fattoria la Rivolta’s “Le Mongolfiere” rosato exhibits terroir like non other, a stately mantle, an ancient and earthy vestige that is a testament to old vines planted in calcareous, limestone-rich soils—what fruit it displays, tart cherries, and clementine are nuanced and entirely secondary. On the […]

Gustave Lorentz Pinot Noir Le Rosé 2013

Gustave Lorentz Pinot Noir Le Rosé 2013

The 2013 Gustave Lorentz Pinot Noir Le Rosé is round and supple on the palate with soft, feminine perfumed aromatics of white hand soap and potpourri, like grandma’s handbag followed by market raspberries and melon. The palate and the nose are more or less an exact match, and it’s clean and fresh, without any hard […]

Château D’Esclans Whispering Angel 2014

Château D'Esclans Whispering Angel 2014

A classic Provençal rosé, Château D’Esclans Whispering Angel 2014 is, as the name suggests, a convivial and charming romp, with just enough of a mineral and earth underpinning to keep it from floating away. Alpine strawberries and raspberries on the nose, along with line-dried linen and wet river rock. In the mouth, fine-boned delicacy and […]

Azur Napa Valley Rosé 2014

Azur Napa Valley Rosé 2014

Composed of 100% Syrah sourced from Napa Valley, the 2014 Azur Rosé is a stylish, salmon-hued sipper with lively aromas of ripe cantaloup, white peaches, Rainier cherries, and honeysuckle. I love what the acidity does, coating the palate evenly and beautifully, with minerally notes lending definition to the back palate. As it warms, silky texture […]

Campuget Costières-de-Nîmes Rosé Tradition de Campuget 2014

Campuget Costières-de-Nîmes Rosé Tradition de Campuget 2014

The 2014 Château de Campuget Tradition Rosé 2014 offers a slightly earthy and wild cocktail of aromas, something akin to red forest berries, rhubarb and dusty spice. This Rhône-style blend of 30% Grenache, and 70% Syrah, sports a concentrated, translucent carmine robe, though somewhat lighter-bodied than expected, fleshed out by notes of cranberries, tart cherries, […]

Dehlinger Estate Bottled Pinot Noir Rosé 2014

Dehlinger Estate Bottled Pinot Noir Rosé 2014

The 2014 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Rosé offers up a nose of fresh strawberries, with a touch of tart cherry. Not overly complex, though enjoyable. There is, perhaps a trace of lemon pith on the finish. I have enjoyed other wines from Dehlinger, particularly their Syrah. My advice: skip this one, great Old World, especially Provence […]

Routas Côteaux Varois Rosé En Provence 2014

Routas Côteaux Varois Rosé En Provence 2014

The 2014 Château Routas Côteaux Varois Rosé is a classic blend of 45% Cinsault, 35% Grenache and 20% Syrah. The color of ripe watermelon, this Provençal pink has quite a lot going for it, considering the price. Blood oranges, ripe raspberry, watermelon and rose petals grace the nose. On the palate, it’s soft and supple […]

Gérard Bertrand Vin de Pays d’Oc Cote des Roses 2014

Gérard Bertrand Vin de Pays d'Oc Cote des Roses 2014

Someone spent a lot of time on the packaging for this wine, from the custom bottle mold, down to the pink hued Vino-Seal glass closure. Is the wine good? For its price, the Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses 2014 is quite drinkable, with enveloping notes of ripe honeydew melon and cantaloup. There is a minerally […]

Tenute Rubino Saturnino Negroamaro Rosato Salento IGT 2014

Tenute Rubino Saturnino Negroamaro Rosato Salento IGT 2014

The exact color of watermelon Jolly Ranchers, the 2014 Tenute Rubino Saturnino Negroamaro Rosato is thankfully, quite dry. Overtones of tart cherries, roses and spice lead an enthusiastic charge to the palate. Lively acidity gives lift to notes of yes, more tart pie cherries and the slightest hint of candy-like watermelon Jolly Ranchers, in the […]

Château de Trinquevedel Tavel Rosé 2013

Château de Trinquevedel Tavel Rosé 2013

Continuing with my exploration of rosé wines, is this charming not so pink from Château de Trinquevedel, a cranberry-hued blend of 56% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 10% Clairette, 4% Syrah, 4% Bourboulenc, 3% Mourvedre and 3 % White Brenache. Enchanting aromas of linen and dried cherries, followed by Queen Anne’s Cherries, blood oranges, and watermelon with […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com