Over the past couple of weeks, we have been trying some new French wines, red and rosé. Most are from Provence and Southwest France. Here are my notes and scores.

2019 Château Thivin Beaujolais-Villages Rosé ($21 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - This presents a brilliant peach-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, red currant, orange, pink peach, pink roses and pink incense. The flavors are fresh and lively, wit6h pink fruits dancing on the palate, intermixed with stony minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a nicely juiced finish. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Domaine de Fontsainte Corbières Rose, "Gris de Gris" ($19 - The Thief) - Light copper-grey colored, this possesses an intriguing nose of wild strawberries, pink cherries, currants, tangerine, orange blossoms, pink roses and orange incense. The flavors are fresh and vibrant, with notes of grape skins, orange peel and Languedoc-Roussillon minerals. The back picks up touches of kirsch and cerise liqueurs on the way ro a nicely juiced dry finish. Excellent value. 18.5/20 points. See below for the 2018 Corbières Rouge.

2019 Château Trinquevedel Tavel Rosé ($18.99 - wine.com) - This displays a brilliant copper color and intriguing aromas of fraise de bois, pomegranate, red currants, blood orange, crushed roses, orange blossoms, lavender and orange incense. The flavors are more extracted than usual for a rosé, yet stay restrained, with notes of grape skins and stony minerals. The back reveals fraise and cassis, pomegranate seeds and orange peel, followed by a generous, pleasing finish. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Domaine de la Blaque Pierrevert Alpes de Haute Provence Rosé ($20 - The Thief) - Produced from Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsault and Vermentino grapes grown in the hills above Provence, this shows a light copper-pink color and lovely aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, peach, tangerine, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors are fresh and lively, deftly extracted, with notes of peach stone and granitic minerals. The back picks up fraise and kirsch liqueurs and tangerine peel, followed by a refreshing finish. A real "gem." Lynn: 3 stars (highest rating). 18.5+/20 points.

2019 Fleurs de Prairie Côtes de Provence Rosé ($19.99 - Safeway) - Brilliant pink-peach colored, this possesses intriguing aromas of strawberry, currant, orange peel, lavender and Provençal herbs. The flavors are softly extracted yet well delineated, with red and orange fruits that are accented by Mistral-blown earth and minerals. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs, orange peel and a bit of spritz, followed by a pleasing, juicy finish. 18.5/20 points. 

2019 Fleur de Mer Côtes de Provence Rosé ($18.99 - Safeway) - From near St. Tropez, this Rosé presents a brilliant copper-pink color and attractive aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, watermelon, tangerine, pink roses, lavender, Provencçal herbs and pink incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with bright pink fruits that ate accented by grape skins and Côte d'Azur minerals. The vivacity continues on the back with fraise liqueur, tangerine peel and pomegranate seeds, followed by a nicely fruited dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé, "Cuvée d'Esclans" ($24.99 - Safeway) - This version shows a light pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, currant, tangerine, pink flowers, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors are light and fresh, yet deftly extracted, with notes of pink fruits and stony minerals. The back reveals fraise and cassis liqueurs and tangerine peel, followed by a finely fruited finish. Comes on as being in the lighter but elegant style. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Peyrasol Côtes de Provence Rosé, "Cuvée de la Coimmanderie" ($29 - The Thief) - Composed of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, this offers a brilliant, light copper-pink color and lovely aromas of strawberries, red currants, tangerine, pink roses, lavender and pink incense. The flavors are beautifully fresh and well delineated, with notes of grape skins and hillside minerals. The allure continues on the back with sensations of fraise and cassis liqueurs, tangerine peel and a bit of spritz, followed by a lightly spiced finish. 18.5+/20 points.

N.V. Je T'aime Crémant de Limoux Brut Rosé ($20 - The Thief) - This is a delightful methode traditionelle sparkling wine from Southwest France. It displays a brilliant light copper-pink color, streaming bubbles and lovely aromas of strawberries, pink cherries, orange, pink roses, lavender and whiffs of pink incense. The flavors are fresh, enlivened by the CO2, and accented by grape skins and Limoux minerals. The back picks up fraise and cerise liqueurs and orange peel on the way to a crisp true Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny ($30 - The Thief) - Deep ruby colored, this Cabernet Franc emits smoky aromas of black cherries, black currants, black plums, black roses, tobacco, a hint of mint and whiffs of incense. The flavors are bold and forward, with dark fruits that are infused with black licorice, cocoa, French roast, and Saumur alluvial minerals. The penetration continues on the back with macerated berries, kirsch and creme de cassis liqueurs, followed by a rich, chewy finish. Packs a lot of flavor for the price. 18.5+/20 points.

2018 Domaine de Fontsainte Corbières Rouge ($14.99 - wine.com) - Composed of 60% Carignan, 30% Grenache and 10% Syrah, this shows a ruby-crimson color and rich aromas of raspberry, black currant, plum, crushed roses, tobacco, lavender and incense. The flavors are generous and full, yet focused, with red and black fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, black tea and Languedoc-Roussillon earth. On the back, the wine turns chewy textured with macerated berries, roasted nuts, framboise and cassis liqueurs and graphite, followed by a ripe moderate tannin finish. 18/20 points.

2018 Maxime Magnon Corbières "La Démarrute" ($39 - The Thief) - This is an upscale Corbières, produced from 50% Carignan, 30% Grenache and 20% Syrah from 50-60 year-old vines. It features a deep ruby color and a rich, smoky nose of raspberries, black currants, plums, crushed roses, tobacco, lavender, pepper and spiced incense. The flavors are thick and chewy, with loads of up front fleshy, yet substantial red and black fruits that are infused with licorice, black tea and schist and limestone minerals. The back picks up macerated fruits, smoked meats and creme de cassis, followed by a lingering sweet-dry tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2017 Château Oilleux-Romanis Corbières, "Le Petit Fanet d'Hippolyte" ($20.99 - wine.com) - Deep ruby colored, this wine emits intense aromas of blackberry, black currant, black plum, black roses, pipe tobacco, lavender and spiced incense. The flavors mirror the aromatics with supple yet thick and focused dark fruits that are intermixed with licorice, bittersweet chocolate, black tea and minerals. The penetration continues on the back with macerated berries, roasted nuts, mocha and charcoal, followed by a spiced sweet-dry moderate tannin finish. 18+/20 points.

2016 Château Peyros Madiran ($15.99 - wine.com) - Madiran is an appellation situated in Southwest France. This version is composed of 60% Tannat (an indigenous grape) and 40% Cabernet Franc. It shows a deep ruby color and an engaging nose of raspberry, cherry, plum, crushed roses, mulberry, tobacco and stick incense. The flavors are direct and muscular, yet accessible, with up front dark fruits that are intermixed with licorice, dark chocolate, roasted coffee bans and earth. The penetration continues on the back with roasted berries and nuts, mocha, toffee and charcoal, followed by a tannic (tannin) yet smoothed out by lanolin, ripe finish. 18+/20 points.