Some More 2017 Rosés

Details

In the past few weeks, we have been tasting some more Rosé wines from both Washington State and France. The range and quality is much better than in past years. There are a lot of gems out there. You must buy Rosés now, because they will soon be sold out. I was at Tamarack Cellars yesterday and learned their Mourvèdre Rosé was down to the last four cases.

 Washington Rosés

2017 CAVU Cellars Barbera Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, Alder Ridge Vineyard ($25) - Copper-pink colored, this possesses intriguing aromas of strawberries, Rainier cherries, red plums, orange blossoms, with fresh lively flavors and a juicy, nicely extracted finish. Full review to be in the August issue. 18.5/20 points. 

2017 Tamarack Cellars Rosé of Mourvèdre, Columbia Valley ($15) - This is a bit more extracted than most Provence style Rosés. It shows a light copper color and attractive aromas of raspberry, cherry, red currant, cherry blossoms, orange peel and incense. The flavors are comprised of red fruits, grape skin, recurring orange peel and kirsch and framboise liqueurs, followed by a slightly textured dry finish. Excellent value. 18/20 points.

2017 Dama Wines Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley ($25) - Sourced from the Chelle den Millie Vineyard, this offers a light copper-pink color and attractive aromas of strawberry, Rainier cherry and tangerine with scents of cherry blossoms and incense. The flavors are crisp and lively, with notes of melon rind and orange peel. The back picks up fraise and cerise liqueurs on the way to a crisp, invigorating dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

2017 Revelry Vintners Rosé Wine, Columbia Valley ($18) - This is an interesting combination of 87% Cabernet Franc and 13% saignée Grenache. Light pink colored, it possesses intriguing aromas of strawberry, cranberry, Rainier cherry, wildflowers and light incense. The flavors are fresh and vivacious, with notes of grape skin, cherry liqueur and a twist of orange peel on a lively finish. 18/20 points.

2017 Solemn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($20) - With 24 hours on the skins, this is a more extracted than usual Rosé. It shows a copper tinged color and intriguing aromas of raspberry, rhubarb, cherry and tangerine with scents of cherry blossoms, purple lilac and spiced incense. The flavors are more assertive than most Rosés, with notes of grape skins, rhubarb sticks, kirsch, and tangerine zest, followed by a dry finish. For those preferring a more extracted Rosé, this gets a plus. 18+/20 points.

When we were in Woodinville on June 23, we tasted a few Rosé wines:

2017 Finn Hill "Le Fantome" Pinot Gris Rosé, Yakima Valley, Sugarloaf Vineyard ($18) - This was produced from Pinot Gris grapes that were given extended hang time, giving the wine a grayish-copper color. The aromas of pear, Casaba melon, quince, lime, anise, jasmine and pink lilac are intriguing, along with flavors of grape skins, melon rind and poire William liqueur, followed by a dry finish. 18/20 pointsé

2017 Callan Cellars Cinsault Rosé, Columbia Valley ($18) - This Rosé sports a pale copper color and enticing aromas of strawberry, tangerine and watermelon with scents of jasmine and wildflowers. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with red fruits that are imbued with grape skin, recurring tangerine peel and fraise liqueur. At 11.7%, the alcohol is light and the finish dry and refreshing, making for an ideal summer Rosé. 18+/20 points.

2017 Savage Grace "Pétillant Naturel" Côt Rosé, Yakima Valley, Dineen Vineyard ($30) - This is a slightly effervescent sparkling Rosé made from the Malbec grape (called Côt in the Loire). It shows a light purplish pink color and enticing aromas of strawberries, cranberries, watermelon, and pink lilac and vivid red fruit flavors that are enlivened by the effervescence and lively acids. 18.5/20 points.

French Rosés

Here are some additions to the French Rosés reviewed in last week's Review Blog (scroll down to see).

2017 Notorious Pink Grenache Rosé ($15.99 - Safeway) - Pale pink colored, this is a delicate, yet well delineated Rosé. It possesses intriguing aromas of wild strawberries, cherries, pomegranates, tangerine, pink lilac and white incense. The flavors are lightly extracted, picking up fraise and cerise liqueurs and saline minerals followed by a squeeze of pomegranate juice and a twist of tangerine zest on the way to a low alcohol (11.5%) faintly honeyed finish. 18+/20 points.  

2017 AIX Côteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé ($17.99 - Safeway) - Pale copper-pink colored, this wine emits intriguing aromas of raspberry, cherry, watermelon, cherry blossoms, lavender, Provençal herbs and white incense. The flavors, as well, are enticing, with fresh young light fruits dancing on the palate, with notes of framboise and kirsch liqueurs and saline minerals, all leading into a resonant, crisp, dry finish. 18.5/20 points. 

Tomorrow, we will be driving to Lyle, Washington to visit some wineries in the Columbia Gorge. There, we will be tasting some Rosés which will be reviewed in next week's Review Blog.