Rosés of Pinot Noir Enliven Summer
Nothing better on a warm summer day than a glass of chilled rosé. As versatile as Pinot Noir is with food,
rosés are more complimentary to the outdoor fare of summer. With Pinot Noir rosé, you get the best of both
worlds, especially when the wine is vinified dry. Many wineries produce rosé, but often it is a thin saiginée
which is quickly vinified as an afterthought. The following rosés are serious wines made with considerable care
and devotion.
2008 Pali Wine Co. Sunset Rosé
13.5% alc., 250 cases, $15. 90%
California, 10% Oregon. A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Grenache.
·
Light
pink coral color. Attractive aromas of strawberries, orange peel and savory
herbs. Crisp and clean flavors of strawberries, blood oranges and summer
melons. A subtle note of oak adds interest. Soft in the mouth with a generous
lift of acidity on the bright finish. Marvelous.
2008 B Vineyards & Habitat Rosé of Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
13.5% alc., 124 cases, $19. Sourced from estate-grown organic clone 777
grapes. Whole cluster press, cold fermentation. Also crafted by winemaker
Hugh Chapelle.
·
Similar nose as the Lynmar but more restrained with an
undertone of summer herbs. White peach, orange and strawberry flavors with
a hint of tutti-fruity and spice. The mouth feel is unusually rich for a rosé, with a
velvety texture and refreshing acidity on the finish. A French-styled, serious
wine with plenty of intensity to satisfy.
2008 Lynmar Estate Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir
14.1% alc.,
$20. Sourced from estate and selected contract vineyards. Fruit specifically
choosen for this wine was de-stemmed, cold soaked for 2-3 hours before
undergoing a gentle membrane press followed by fermentation in stainless
steel tanks. This wine was supplemented by the saiginée method in which
lots of Pinot Noir and Syrah were bled from tank after de-stemming with some
color and no tannins. The wine was aged in neutral French oak barrels and
stainless tanks. Vinified by winemaker Hugh Chapelle.
·
Lovely orange-red
salmon hue. Aromas of white peaches and oranges. The flavors are fresh
and vivid, even flirty, echoing the aromas and finishing with some persistence.
Among the top rosés every year in California.
2008 Antica Terra Rosé Willamette Valley
14.2% alc., 88 cases, $35. 66%
Pommard, 33% Dijon 115. 33% whole cluster. Full natural MLF with 6 months
aging in 3rd-fill French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately deep
reddish-orange color. Lovely aromas of fresh strawberries, blood oranges and
a touch of white peach and herbs. A substantial rosé that is mouth filling on
the attack strutting flavors of fresh berries, orange peel and savory herbs with
some persistence on the bright finish. This is a stunning wine that even a
Pinot Noir purist like myself would be proud to take to any classy restaurant.
This wine should put to rest any stigma that has been attached to rosé.
