2016 Westwood Estate Annadel Gap Vineyard Sonoma Valley Rosé

13.5% alc., pH 3.32, TA 0.628, 189 cases, $25. Released May 2017. Harvest Brix 23.0º-25.0º. Counoise (40%) and Tannat (13%) grapes picked early for making a rosé and then whole cluster pressed. The Pinot Noir (40%), Mouvèdre (3%) and Syrah (4%) were collected as a saignee. All varieties individually fermented in neutral French oak puncheons, aged on lees for 4 months, and underwent partial malolactic fermentation. Gently fined and filtered. · Moderate pinkish orange color in the glass. Market reduction upon opening (burnt match, sulfur) that resolves over time in the glass revealing aromas of strawberry, juniper berry and underbrush. Quite flavorful with tastes of plum, cherry, Damsel plum, spice, apricot, peach and savory dried herbs. Only the slightest tannins show up on the finish that has some length. Much better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, so this may be a rare instance of a Rosé benefiting from decanting. Score: 89. Reviewed September 24, 2017

Winery: Westwood Estate Wines
From article: Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay