More New French Rosé Wines

Recently, we picked up a few more 2021 French Rosés from the Thief in Walla Walla along with some others from Safeway.

2021 Château Pesquie "Le Perdou" Cinsault Rosé Vin de France ($12 - Thief) - This varietal Rosé shows a brilliant pink-tinged copper color (Pantone 163) and attractive aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, tangerine, orange tree blossoms and whiffs of garrigue (lavender and herbs) and orange incense. The flavors are light yet deftly extracted, with pink and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, pomegranate seeds and minerals. The back picks up fraise liqueur and a twist of orange peel, followed by a finely fruited finish. A steal at $12. 18.5/20 points.  

2021 Whispering Angel "The Beach" Côteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé ($16.99 - Safeway) -This presents a light pink-peach color and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink peach, pink grapefruit, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors are bright and crisp, with pink fruits that are imbued with grape skins, peach stones and hillside minerals. The back picks up fraise and pêche liqueurs and grapefruit peel on the way to a bright fruit acid finish. For those liking a brisk style, this gets 18.5/20 points.

2021 Whispering Angels Caves d'Esclave Côtes de Provence Rosé ($29.99 - Safeway) - Light copper-pink colored, this emits floral aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, tangerine, cherry and orange blossoms and whiffs of lavender and orange incense. On the palate, the flavors are exquisitely balanced, with pink and orange fruits that are intermixed with grape skins, cherry stones and Provençal hillside minerals. The resonance continues on the back with gently pressed fruits, fraise and cerise liqueurs and a twist of orange peel on the lingering lightly spiced finish. 19/20 points.

2021 Domaine Charvin Côtes du Rhône Rosé ($20 - The Thief) - This offers a brilliant pink-copper color and intriguing aromas of white strawberry, pink cherry, tangerine, cherry and orange blossoms, garrigue and pink incense. The flavors are fresh and sprightly, with pink and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and Pays d'Orange minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and cerise liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a nicely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2021 La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé ($28 - The Thief) - Bandol is located east of Marseille and we have liked previous vintages from this property. It shows a brilliant pink-tinged copper color and intense aromas of raspberry, red currant, pomegranate, blood orange, lavender, orange blossoms, and orange incense. The flavors, as well, are attention-getting, with pink and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, pomegranate seeds and slopeside minerals. The vigor continues on the back with framboise and cassis liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a long, long finish. Lynn: 3 of 3 stars. 19/20 points. 

Washington Wine Month Deals at Esquin

In this month's Hot Sheet, Esquin Wine Merchants has some great buys that are not to be missed.

2021 The Walls "Cruel Summer" Rosé ($22.99 - Regular $28) - Made in a Provençal style, this shows a light pink color and aromas of strawberry, cherry, pink grapefruit, summer flowers and a mélange of deliciously bright fruits that finish dry and well fruited. Reviewed in the April issue. 19/20 points.

2020 Kiona Lemberger, Red Mountain ($10.99 - Regular $18) - Kiona has been growing Lemberger for over four decades. This vintage shows a brick red color and intriguing aromas of Boysenberry, plum and bayberry with scents of semi-dried roses, orange peel and applewood smoke. The flavors are medium bodied but substantial, with macerated fruits, roasted nuts and Red Mountain scorched earth. The back picks up orange peel and stick charcoal, followed by s slightly grainy soft tannin finish tat is lifted by bright fruit acids. Super buy. 18+/20 points.

2019 Newsprint Syrah, Columbia Valley ($15.99 - Regular $25) - From Guardian Cellars, this is slated for the September issue of the Review of Washington Wines. It shows a deep ruby-crimson color and rich aromas if blackberry, blueberry, black currant, black roses, pipe tobacco, olive tapenade and spiced incense. The flavors are generous and direct with copious black and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cola, black tea and earth. On the back, the wine fills out with pressed berries, roasted nuts, creme de cassis and blueberry preserves, followed by a pleasingly ripe, juicy, spiced (nutmeg, clove) moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 L'Ecole No 41 "Frenchtown Red," Columbia Valley ($19.99 - Regular $25) - This is an amiable 80% "BDX" 20% "Rhone" blend with generous flavors, brimming with red fruits. Reviewed August. 18/20 points.

2019 Walla Walla Vintners Red Blend, Columbia Valley ($19.99 - Regular $25) - This is an attractively-styled blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 20% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. The aromas are engaging and the flavors generous, yet focused. Reviewed March. 18.5/20 points.