Revisiting Older Rosés, Plus Some New Ones

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In reorganizing our wine collection, I found some 2019 and 2018 Rosé wines lying around. So I decided to open them up and see how they were doing. I am of the opinion that Rosé wines are not just for summer and do not have to be drunk by Labor Day. But that does not mean they they are as good a year or two later after release. My evaluations of the 2019's and 2018's bear this out. Here's my report.

One of the Rosés that held up the best was Ashley Trout's 2019 Brook & Bull. Composed of 47% Mourvèdre, 31% Cinsault and 22% Grenache, it still showed some good fruit and balance despite the low alcohol (11.1%). Two more were from Fiona Mak's SMAK Wines, The 2019 Pinot Gris Summer Rose was still fairly lively another summer later. I think that may because it came on like a copper-tinged white wine. The 2019 Fall/Winter Syrah Rosé had a somewhat subdued nose, but still holding up although it would have been better last winter. The 2019 Nefarious  Rosé from Lake Chelan was starting to dry up, but still drank well (70% Syrah, 30% Pinot Noir). 

We had three 2018 Rosés. The one from the Rioja district of Spain was drinkable but lacked freshness. A 2018 Tavel was beginning to dry up but the fruit was still holding on. Two years' aging is a stretch for most Rosés. One surprise was the 2018 L'Ecole No 41 Grenache Rosé from the Alder Ridge Vineyard on the Horse Heaven Hills. Still bright and nicely fruited (possibly helped by the Nomacorc synthetic closure). Whatever the winemaking formula was, it worked. 

In conclusion, Rosés can last a year or two, but are at their best when drunk young. There's nothing more pleasurable than opening up a bright, fresh Rosé wine in summer.

More 2020 Rosés Preview

Here are some more 2020's that will be reviewed in the July issue of the Review of Washington Wines (on line June 25).

2020 Hoquetus Cabernet Franc Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, Seven Hills Vineyard ($26) - This is attractively styled, with wild strawberries, Rainier cherries, watermelon, tangerine, herbal tea and basalt and silt minerals and a nicely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Grosgrain Vineyards "Blush" Rosé, Yakima Valley, Angolina Farm Vineyard ($20) - As the name suggests, this is light colored and light bodied, but well-delineated, with touches of nougat and cranberry skins. 18+/20 points.

2020 Grosgrain Vineyards "Pet-Nat" Lemberger, Red Mountain, Kiona Vineyard ($30) - This is a striking light copper-rose colored frothy bubbly, with fresh aromas and juicy flavors, enlivened by the CO2. 19/20 points.

2020 Alson Rosé, Columbia Gorge ($27) - This is a lovely Rosé, made from Pinot Noir. It has a perfumed aromas and fresh and sprightly flavors, accented by grape skins, orange peel and volcanic minerals. 19/20 points.

Others to be tasted over the next two weeks.