Last weekend, I read an article in the Weekend Wall Street Journal by Lettie Teague, "Where to Turn in the Midst of a Rosé Rut." In it, she noted that Rosé wine sales are down overall, but some ones, according to retailers she interviewed, are selling well. Her recommendations in the article include three from Provence ("Provence still rules," said one retailer), one from the Languedoc and one Vin du Pays. One of these was the 2022 Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence, a brand developed by Sacha Lichine who popularized Rosé wines from 2006 on. I scored this wine 18.5+/20 points, noting its agreeable style. Another one I reviewed was the 2022 Domaine du Bagnol Cassis (a Provence sub appellation) which I scored 19/20 points. See the 31 May Blog posting for these two wines.

I, too, have noticed a rut of Rosé wines in supermarkets, with a lot of 2021's and even 2020's on shelves, including ones from Provence. The presence of older vintages is an indication of how well they are selling. But there are real gems to be found. We have found the 2022 Sancerre Rosés to be outstanding. "Sancerre through the roof," said one retailer interviewed by Lettie Teague. See the 16 May Blog posting below for the superb Pascal and Nicolas Reverdy's "Terre de Maimbray," 19.5/20 points. Also outstanding are the Domaine du Carrou, 18.5+/20 points and the Lucien Crochet, 19/20 points. Also outstanding is the 2022 La Bastide Blanche Bandol from just east of Marseille, scoring 19.5/20 points in the 24 May posting below.

There are excellent Washington State (and Oregon) Rosés as well, but the real standouts are the 2022 Mongata (June Review issue) and Canvasback (July issue), both scoring 19.5/20 points. Interestingly, both come from the Resurgent Vineyard on the South Fork of the Walla Walla River in Oregon. It's a toss up between the two. The Best Buy is the 2022 L'Ecole No 41 Grenache Rosé from the Alder Ridge Vineyard on the Horse Heaven Hills 19/20 points ($23 - April issue).

New Rosé Wines Tasted Recently

2022 Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhone Rosé ($10.99 - Safeway) - Fermented in stainless steel, this offers a light pink color and fresh aromas of strawberry, pink currant and Mandarin orange, with scents of pink roses, lilac and pink incense. The flavors are light but well delineated, with notes of grape skins, orange peel and minerals. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs on the way to a brisk, juicy finish. Lynn: 3 of 3 stars. Super buy. 18.5/20 points.

2022 La Vieille Ferme Rosé ($12.29 - Super 1) - This is another super buy in French Rosé. It shows a light copper tinged pink color and attractive aromas of strawberries, pink cherries, pink currants and tangerine, with scents of pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors are fresh and sprightly, with pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs and tangerine peel, followed by a nicely fruited finish. Lynn: 3 stars. 18.5/20 points.

2022 Figuière Côtes de Provence Rosé, "Signature Magali" ($20 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - Composed of 35% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 20% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this displays a light copper-pink color and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, pink currant, pink grapefruit, pink roses, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors are bright and fresh, with pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and Provençal minerals. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs and grapefruit peel, followed by a crisp, juicy finish. A nice, approachable Rosé. 18.5/20 points. 

2022 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rosé ($31 - The Thief) - Most Gigondas is red, but some Rosé is made. This one shows a brilliant copper-pink color and intriguing aromas of strawberry, pink currant, Mandarin orange, pink rose, orange blossoms and pink incense. The flavors are pleasingly juicy, leaning to orange, with notes of grape skins and Montmirial minerals. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a lightly spiced finely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points. 

2022 Domaine Bailly-Reverdy Sancerre Rosé, "La Mercy Dieu" ($36 - The Thief) - Most Sancerre is white (Sauvignon Blanc) but some red and Rosé are made from Pinot Noir. This one is outstanding. It exhibits a brilliant copper tinged pink color and lovely aromas of strawberries, pink cherries, Mandarin orange, pink roses, daylilies and pink incense. The flavors are deliciously juicy, yet elegant, with pink fruits that are imbued with cherry stones, orange peel and upper Loire River minerals. On the back, the wine is illuminated but fraise and cerise liqueurs and a twist of orange peel, followed by a lingering, precise finish. 19/20 points. 

Here's one from Spain's Basque Region

2022 Ameztoi Getario Txaklcolina Robutis ($23 - The Thief) - This is an intriguing Rosé made from an indigenous grape. It shows a light pink color and aromas of wild strawberry, pink cherry, pink grapefruit, pink roses, lavender and pink incense. The flavors are brisk and deftly extracted, with notes of grape skins, cherry stones and Basque minerals. The back picks up cherry and kirsch liqueurs and grapefruit peel, followed by a low alcohol (11.5%) juicy finish. 18.5/20 points.

The following two wines will be in the August Review of Washington Wines with full reviews.

2022 Seven Hills Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley ($22) - This was released later than usual as the winery has the 2021 to move through. It shows a brilliant light pink color and attractive aromas of pink flowers and pink incense. The flavors are lightly extracted and nicely juiced. 18.5/20 points.

2022 Nefarious Rosé, Columbia Valley ($22) - This one from a Lake Chelan winery features a copper-tinged pink color and perfumed aromas, juicy flavors and an appealing fraise liqueur and orange peel accented finish. 18.5/20 points.

Finally, keep in mind that when it comes to Roses, preferences are highly personal. Certain Rosés are not for everyone. There are many styles to choose from and one should read the descriptions to determine if a wine fits one's taste.