Our next Blog posting was to be next week, April 18, after returning from Kansas City. But that trip was cancelled because of uncertainties about traveling there and by Alaska Airlines. So here's a report about what we've tasted lately.

Rosé Wine Update

In the Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition of April 2-3, I read an article by Lettie Teague about Last Year's Rosés, from the 2020 vintage. Her article pointed out that the 2021 imported Rosés will be coming in later than usual and will cost 5% to 25% more. There is a shortage of everything - bottles, aluminum for capsules, even paper for labels. But she also wrote that the 2020's are still drinking well and reviewed some, quoting industry persons who promoted this claim, something I only partially agree with. While I don't believe Rosés have to be drunk by Labor Day, I do think there's something to be said for drinking Rosés young while the free, vibrant fruit flavors are evident. 

This article piqued me to get out a few 2020 Rosés to see how they are holding up. Here's my report.

2020 Convergence Zone Cellars "Three Forks" Rosé of Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, Gamache Vineyard ($22) - Produced from white grapes given extended hang time, this shows a deep, brilliant copper color and aromas of strawberry, blood orange, watermelon, orange blossoms and orange incense. The flavors, as well, are striking, with red and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, orange peel and minerals, followed by a touch of butterscotch on an extracted, rounded dry finish. The fruit acids keep this Rosé going. "It's still fabulous," says Lynn, "I love it," says Lynn. Same score as last year: 18.5+/20 points. This vintage is sold out but the 2021 will be reviewed in the May issue.

2020 Northstar Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($25 - still available) - Produced from 100% Merlot, this displays a brilliant copper color and intriguing aromas of strawberry, cherry, orange peel, orange blossoms and orange incense. The wine is past the freshly fruited sage, but show some interesting flavors of grape skins, cherry stones and silty minerals, followed on the back by pressed fruits and recurring orange peel, followed by a dry, slightly butternut finish. Holding up well, but drink now. 18.5/20 points. 

2020 Minuty Côtes de Provence Rosé ($18.99 - Safeway - still available) - Brilliant light copper-pink colored, this possesses aromas of strawberry, pink currant, pink grapefruit, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors are light and deft, not quite as fresh as they were last year, but still holding up, with notes of grape skins and Provençal hillside minerals. The back picks up touches of fraise and cassis liqueurs and grapefruit peel, followed by a lightly fruited dry finish. Was 18.5/20 points last June, 18+/20 now. 

2020 Domaine de la Modorée Tavel Rosé (purchased for $36) - Composed of 60% Grenache and 20% each of Cinsault and Syrah, this shows a brilliant copper color and aromas of strawberry, cherry, orange peel, lavender and orange incense. The flavors are rounding out, with notes of grape skins, cherry stones and Rhone alluvial minerals. The back reveals fraise and cerise liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by an herb and spice dusted dry finish. Was 19/20 points last year, now 18.5+/20.

Note: There will be ten 2021 Rosés in the May issue of the Review of Washington Wines.

Rosé Champagne Best Buy

Rosé Champagne is expensive, more so than white ones. Most cost upwards of $60 a bottle. But here's one that I bought at Esquin in Seattle which is almost as good as ones costing much more.

N.V. Moutard Père & Fils Rosé de Cuvaison Brut Champagne ($39.99 - Esquin) - This Champagne displays a brillant copper-pink color, frothy streaming bubbles and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, orange, cherry, orange and cherry tree blossoms and whiffs of orange incense. The flavors, as well, are striking, with red and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stiones and recurring orange peel, all enlivened by the CO2 and bracing fruit acids on the true Brut finish. "Delightful!," says Lynn. 19/20 points.

Other Wines Tasted Recently

2020 Cantina Tramin Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige ($19.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - This really stands out among Italian Pinot Grigios. It shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and attractive aromas of pear, white peach, melon, citrus, pear flowers, wildflowers and yellow incense. The flavors are bright and vivid, marked by grape skins, peach stones and Sud Tirol minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with pear and peach liqueurs, toasted blanched almonds and touches of crème fraiche, melon rind and line zest on the brisk, finely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Domaine Gérald Talmard Mâcon-Uchizy ($17.99 - Esquin) - This is a terrific value. It offers a brilliant gold color and attractive aromas of pear-apple, white peach, grapefruit, apple blossoms, acacia flowers and white incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, pure Chardonnay, with notes of grape skins, peach stones and granitic minerals. The back picks up poire and pêche liqueurs and grapefruit peel, followed by a crisp, finely juiced finish. 18.5/20 points. 

2020 Château de Pizay Morgon ($21.99 - Esquin) - This Cru Beaujolais displays a purplish ruby color and ripe aromas of raspberry, cherry and black currant, with scents of crushed roses, mulberry and purple lilac. The flavors, as well, jump out of the glass with vivid red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa and granitic minerals. The appeal continues on the back with pressed berries, framboise and crème de cassis liquors and soft charcoal, followed by a smooth tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Yves Cuilleron Saint Peray, "Lieu Dit Biousse" ($40 The Thief, Walla Walla) - Saint Peray is located just north of Valence in the North Rhone Valley. This is 100% Marsanne and shows a deep, brilliant lemon-gold color and perfumed aromas of pear, nectarine, cantaloupe, lemon, pear blossoms, honeysuckle, butternut and yellow incense. The flavors, as well, are striking, with viscous yet laser-like yellow fruits that are imbued with pear and nectarine stones and clay and granite minerals. The resonance continues on the back with poire William liqueur, melon rind and lemon zest, followed by a lingering, crisp yet luscious finish. 19/20 points.

2019 Crous St. Martin Châteauneuf du Pape, "Hommage à l'an 1879" ($38.99 - Esquin) - We have liked previous vintages of Crous St. Martin. Composed of 80% Grenache and 20% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, this vintage shows a deep ruby color and intense aromas of raspberries, blueberries, black currants, crushed roses, pipe tobacco, lavender and spiced incense. The flavors are mouth filling, with red and blue fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa, black tea and limestone minerals. On the back, the wine fills out with framboise and cassis liqueurs and blueberry preserves, followed by s lingering, spice dusted ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.