We started off with my favorite "house" rosé, Jean-Luc Colombo's "Cape Bleue" which at about $13 a bottle (and widely available in PA, NJ & DE) is hard to beat for a intoxicatingly aromatic, fresh and fruity Provencal rosé with a intriguing hint of spice.
Next up was what many consider to be the finest Provencal rosé with the ethereal moniker of "Whispering Angel" from the D'Esclans estate. Bone-dry with a firm, fleshy backbone, it certainly captivates the eye, not to mention the taste buds, with the most gorgeous pale pink hue. This was a favorite of many tasters in the group.
The third selection was a 100% Grenache from Sonoma County, California. This 2012 Komomo was distinctive for its minerality, and more astringent, even earthy or musty aspects, as well as a notable watermelon aroma. The more it breathed, the more it opened up and developed further with a long, lingering finish. It scored top marks for at least one wine aficionado in our group.
We next moved onto two Pinot Noir rosés, the first from the Willamette Valley in Oregon (Adelsheim) and the second from the renowned Sancerre appellation in France - Thomas-Labaille "L'Authentique". While both are of excellent quality and would be great choices for all you Pinot Noir lovers, the French wine edged out the Oregonian in our group's estimation with its complex palate of herbs, minerality and racy acidity. The Adelsheim, by comparison, exhibits a lovely bouquet of white flowers and orange blossom along with typical strawberry notes.
The evening ended with something completely different : an Israeli wine from Galilee vinified from Barbera and Merlot grapes. Distinctively darker and cherry-red in color, it was notable for its of aromas of cherries, pomegranate and white flowers. Slightly tannic and light to medium bodied and invitingly aromatic, it nonetheless finished somewhat short and abruptly.
Overall, the favorites were the "Whispering Angel" and the Sancerre, which are definitely worth the few extra bucks - typically about $20 a bottle.
1. Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé 2013
Varietals: 67% Syrah, 33%
Mourvèdre
Classification: Indication
Géographique Protégée (IGP)
Production/Tasting Notes:
Dry, but with deceptively sweet notes; fresh, aromatic, fruity bouquet with
spicy notes; complex flavors of fresh
raspberries, cherries; hint of black olive; elegant finish with touch of spice.
Food pairings: fish (fresh coho salmon, for example),
poultry, vegetarian fare; also great as an apéritif
12.5 % Alcohol
2. Whispering Angel Caves D'Esclans 2012
Varietal: Grenache, Rolle
(Vermentino), Cinsault, Syrah, Tibouren
Classification: Appellation
Côtes de Provence Contrôlée
Production/Tasting Notes: Vinified
in stainless steel tanks; “batônnage” twice weekly; singularly gorgeous pale
pink in color; appealingly fresh fragrance of light summer fruits (rapsberry,
strawberry, cranberry); cherry nuances; firm, fleshy structure on the palate;
firm texture and fine dry finish;
(World's Greatest Provençal Rosé?
- you decide!)
Food pairings: your favorite summertime Provençal fare
13 % Alcohol
3. Komomo
Grenache Rose 2012 (Pauline's Vineyard)
Varietals: 100% Grenache
Classification/Region: Dry
Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
Production/Tasting Notes:
100% stainless steel fermentation; watermelon, strawberry, red cherry aromas;
hints of minerality; long, lingering finish
Food
pairings: Mediterranean fare
13.1 % Alcohol
4. Adelsheim Rosé 2013
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Willamette Valley,
Oregon
Production/Tasting Notes:
Saignée method (portion of juice bled off from Pinot Noir fermenter 6-12 hours
after filled with grapes); slow, cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks;
12% fermented in older, neutral French oak barrels; bottled 2/24/14; fresh
strawberry, raspberry aromas, hint of vanilla bean, orange blossom, white
flowers; rich well-textured palate
Food pairings:
Mediterranean style dishes, bouillabaisse; grilled shrimp; goat cheese, ham and
poultry entrees
13.5% Alcohol
5. Thomas-Labaille “l'Authentique” Rosé 2013
Classification: Appellation
Sancerre Contrôlée
Varietal: (old vine) Pinot
Noir
Tasting Notes: Mineral-driven nose and palate typical of
Loire wines; ripe strawberry backed by
racy acidity; also notes of sweet herbs on the palate
Food pairings: Fresh goat
cheese; salmon baked with herbs; fish tacos with avocado and cilantro
Alcohol: 12.5%
6. Recanati Rosé 2013
Varietals: 70% Barbera, 30%
Merlot
Region: Galilee, Israel
Production/Tasting Notes: Unirrigated Manara vineyard; cherry red
color; light-medium body; aromas of crushed strawberries, pomegranate,
white flowers, raspberry, cherry;
balanced acidity; light tannins; mouth-filling; crisp, refreshing
Food pairings: Grilled fish, seafood; spicier
fare
12.5% Alcohol
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