More New Rosé Wines

In the September issue (on line August 25) of the Review of Washington Wines, there will be four new Rosés. Here's a preview, full reviews to be in the September issue.

2020 Northstar Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($28) - From the Northstar Estate Vineyard, this is the best Merlot Rosé tasted so far. Light copper-pink colored it possesses perfumed aromas of fraises de bois, kiwi, keymlime and orange blossoms. The flavors are simultaneously lush and crisp flavors with deftly extracted fruits and a lingering nicely juiced finish. 19/20 points.

2020 Gard Vintners "Grand Klasse" Rosé Wine, Royal Slope, Lawrence Vineyard ($25) - This 96% Grenache, 4% Mourvèdre combination offers a brilliant light pink color and aromas of strawberries, red currants, watermelon, pink roses, pink lavender with alluring light pink fruits and Royal Slope minerals, followed by a nicely fruited finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2020 Bartholomew Rosé of Counoise, Horse Heaven Hills, Coyote Canyon Vineyard ($19) - Counoise is a South Rhone variety. This version offers a light copper-pink color and aromas of strawberry, watermelon, pink flowers, pink lavender and pink incense wtih lively pink fruits that are accented by grape skins and melon rind, followed by a crisp, finely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Willamette Valley Vineyards "Whole Cluster" Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($25) - This will be in the Values from Oregon special section. From the Dijon clone, it possesses lovely aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, red currants and pink flowers, with bright, lively flavors and precise fruit acids. Refreshing and charming. 18.5/20 points.

Other Rosés Tasted Recently

2020 Pierre-Marie Chermette Beaujolais Rosé, "Griottes" ($19.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - This features a brilliant pink color and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink peach, tangerine, pink roses, orange blossoms and orange incense. The flavors are pleasingly light and sprightly, with notes of grape skins, peach stones and minerals. The vibrancy continues ob the back with strawberry and peach liqueurs and a raiser of orange peel in the dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Commanderie de la Bargemone Rosé, Côteau d'Aix en Provence ($18.99 - Esquin) - This shows a brilliant light copper-pink color and attractive aromas of strawberry, red currant, orange, orange blossoms, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors are nicely delineated with light grape skin and hillside minerals. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a dry yet nicely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Conde Valdemar Rioja Rosé ($20 Valdemar Estates) - This 70% Garnacha, 30% Mazuelo combination displays a brilliant copper-pink color and attractive aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, Valencia orange, orange blossoms, pink lavender and orange incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with red and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins and stony minerals. The back picks up strawberry liqueur, pomegranate sees and orange peel on the way to a crisp, nicely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Oyster Bay Rosé, Marlborough, New Zealand ($13.99 - Safeway) - This amiable Rosé offers a light copper-pink color and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, pink peach, cherry blossoms, clover and pink incense. The flavors are brisk and lively, with pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, peach stones and minerals. The back picks up strawberry and peach liqueurs, followed by s finely fruited, crisp finish. 18/20 points.

N.V. Chandon Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, California ($18.99 - Safeway) - This Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier combination is one of our favorites. It shows a brilliant copper-pink color, streaming bubbles and aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, tangerine, pink roses, cherry blossoms and whiffs of pink incense. The flavors are delightfully fresh and lively, with pink fruits that are accented by grape skins and cherry stones and enlivened by the CO2. The back picks up fraise and cerise liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a true Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

Washington Wine Deals from the Esquin Hot Sheet

A couple of days ago, I received an email from Esquin Wine & Spirits with the monthly Hot Sheet featuring Washington wine specials for the August Washington Wine month. It included several wines that have been reviewed in the Review of Washington Wines.

2020 Novelty Hill Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley ($13.99 - Regular $20) - Lemon-gold colored, this possesses aromas of pear, Crenshaw melon, citrus, summer flowers and lemongrass, with fresh, vibrant flavors that are marked by grape and pea skins, melon rind and minerals, followed by a crisp finish. Full review to be in the September issue. 18+/20 points.

2020 L'Ecole No 41 "Old Vines" Chenin Blanc, Yakima Valley ($14.99 - Regular $17) - This Vouvray style white offers a a lemon-gold color and attractive floral aromas of peach, kiwi, guava and citrus and vibrant flavors that are accented by peach stones and minerals, followed by an nicely fruited off-dry finish. Full review to be in the September issue. 18.5/20 points. 

2019 Helix Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, Stillwater Creek Vineyard ($21.99 - Regular $28) - This shows a medium brick red color and aromas of red fruits, plum, sun-dried tomato and herbs with charming medium bodied flavors marked by Royal Slope minerals. Full review to be in the September issue. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Freehand Cellars Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley ($15.99 - Regular $25) - This offers a deep ruby color with rich, smoky aromas and thick, generous yet focused flavors that pick up roasted berries and nuts, followed by a savory, satisfying finish. Reviewed April 2021. 18.5/20 points.

2016 Buty "Wildebeest" Red Wine, Columbia Valley ($12.99 - Regular $20) - This combination of BDX and Rhone varieties offers rich.smoky aromas of blackberries, plums, cherries, combining the structure of BDX varieties and the mouth-filling flavors of the Rhone varieties. Reviewed May 2019. 18+/20 points.