On June 11th, while we were in Seattle, we stopped at Esquin Wine Merchants (which I owned from 1969 to 1997), to pick up some wines to take back to Walla Walla. We have enjoyed tasting our purchases. Here's what we found. 

We picked up a few new 2021 Rosés:

2021 La Spinetta "Il Rosé di Casanova," Toscana ($19.99) - This Italian Rosé is composed of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Prugnolo. It offers a copper-tinged pink color and attractive aromas of strawberry, cherry, currant, cherry blossoms, pink roses and whiffs of pink incense. The flavors are bright and fresh, with notes of cherry stones and hillside minerals. The back picks up strawberry and cherry liqueurs on the way to a dry, finely fruited finish. 18+/20 points.

2021 Commanderie de la Bargemon Côteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé ($20.99) - This is a lovely Rosé. It shows a brilliant copper-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, red currant, pink roses, lavender and Provençal herbs. The flavors are brisk and lively with pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, pomegranate seeds and Provence hillside minerals. The appeal continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs and a twist of orange peel on the dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

2021 Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Rosé, "Terre de Maimbrey" Rosé ($28.99) - Produced from Pinot Noir in Maimbrey, one of the best sites in Sancerre, this is an exquisite Rosé. It displays a brilliant copper-pink color and lovely aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, tangerine, pink roses, cherry blossoms and whiffs of orange incense. The flavors are bright and dynamic, with pink and orange fruits and riverside minerals. The resonance continues on the back with fraise and cerise liqueurs and recurring tangerine peel, followed by a precise fruit acid finish. 19/20 points.

While we were at Esquin some Burgundy wines were being poured. We bought these two.

2019 Terres Secrètes Mâcon Verzé, "Croix Jarrier" ($22.99) - This Chardonnay offers a brilliant lemon-gold color and attractive aromas of pear, peach, citrus. pear blossoms, acacia flowers, lemon verbena and wet stone. The flavors are lively and true to variety, with notes of grape and pear skins and chalky minerals. The appeal continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and a twist of lemon zest on the crisp, well fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Nuiton-Beaunoy Bourgogne Côte d'Or ($26.99) - Brick red colored, this Pinot Noir emits inviting aromas of strawberry, cherry, currant, crushed roses, bayberry and sweet incense. The flavors are generous and mouth filling with definite varietal character, marked by red licorice, cocoa, medium roast coffee beans and earth. The supple yet firm back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs and lightly toasted nuts on the way to a juicy moderate tannin and acid finish. 18.5/20 points.

And we also bought these Rhone wines. 

2020 La Font du Loup Côtes du Rhône "Le Loup" ($18.99) - This "wolf label" wine features a deep ruby color and rich aromas of raspberry, currant, plum, black roses, mulberry, tobacco, garrigue and spiced incense. The flavors are amole yet focused, with copious red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, black tea and minerals. On the back, the wine takes a vigorous turn with macerated fruits, roasted nuts, creme de cassis and soft charcoal, followed by a spiced ripe tannin finish. 18+/20 points.

2019 Crous St. Martin Châteauneuf du Pape. "Homage à l'an 1879" ($38.99) - We have had previous vintages of Crous St. Martin and found them to be excellent values. Composed of 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, this shows a deep ruby color and rich aromas of raspberry, black currant, blood orange, roses, sweet tobacco, garrigue, olive tapenade and spiced incense. The flavors are bold and velvety, with layers of up front red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French roast and mas minerals. On the back, the wine intensifies worth macerated fruits, roasted nuts, framboise and cassis liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a lingering firm yer sweetish tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2018 Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas, "Aux Lieux Dits" ($39.99) - From select old vine vineyards, this blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault exhibits a semi opaque ruby color and an intoxicating nose of raspberries, blueberries, black currants, black roses, dark tobacco, garrigue and spiced incense. The flavors are simultaneously bold and velvety, with black and blue fruits that are infused with licorice root, French roast and Montmirial earth and minerals. The back reveals roasted berries and nuts, mocha, framboise and creme de cassis liqueurs, followed by a lingering, ripe spiced tannin finish, lifted by fruit acids. 19/20 points.

Wine Deal of the Week

Esquin had this wine from Victor Palencia on sale (regular $25).

2019 La Monarcha Malbec, Columbia Valley ($19.99) - This is a mighty Malbec at a great price. It shows a purplish ruby color and rich aromas of blackberry, blueberry, plum, black roses, lavender, tobacco, black olive and wood smoke. The flavors are bold and mouth filling yet sophisticated, with black and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, black tea and earth. The penetration continues on the back with macerated fruits, roasted pecans, mocha, creme de cassis and stick charcoal, followed by a satisfying ripe tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.