It's rosé wine season again and these light colored wines have been increasing in popularity after years of being out of favor with many consumers. Three years ago, hardly anyone paid attention to these wines. Then sales of rosé's started rising dramatically. Last year, many wineries made twice as much rosé as the year before and sold out quickly. This year, they made twice as much again and are nearly sold out. So here are my recommendations among this year's crop of rosés, grouped according to style.

 

Provençal Style - These are mostly Grenache and/or Mourvèdre and are modeled after the rosés of Bandol and the Cote d'Azur. Here are two examples.

2012 Tertulia Cellars Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, Riveria Galets Vineyard ($16) - Composed of 49% Mourvèdre, 26% Grenache and 25% Syrah, this shows a deep pink color and aromas of raspberry, Rainier cherry, orange peel, dried roses and Provençal herbs. The flavors mirror the aromatics with ripe dried fruits, grape skins, orange peel and melon rind followed by a lightly spiced dry finish. 18/20 points.

2012 Gramercy Cellars Rosé, Columbia Valley, Olsen Vineyard ($25) - Mostly Cinsault and Grenache. Reviewed in the May isssue. 18.5/20 points.

2012 DeLille Cellars Doynenne Rosé, Yakima Valley ($25) - Composed of 55% Grenache, 39% Mourvèdre and 6% Cinsault, this shows a pink/copper color and enticing aromas of strawberries, Bosc pear, orange peel, forest carpet and spring mountain wild flowers. The flavors are bright and juicy, with notes of melon rind and recurring orange peel, followed by a crisp, vibrant, lightly spiced dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

 

Rhone Valley Style - These are usually made from Grenache and/or Syrah.

2012 L'Ecole No. 41 Grenache Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, Alder Ridge Vineyard ($19) - Brilliant pink colored, this offers an attractive nose of strawberry, watermelon, pink peach, cherry blossoms and spice with bright bursting flavors. To be reviewed in the June issue. 18/20 points.

2012 Tranche Cellars "Pink Pape" Dry Rosé Wine Columbia Valley ($18) - Sourced from the Blackrock Vineyard, this displays a light pink color and an attractive nose of strawberry, watermelon and Rainier cherry with scents of cherry blossoms, lilac and spiced orange peel. The flavors are deliciously ripe and sprightly, underlined with notes of grapeskin and orange peel, followed by a crisp, dry finish. 18/20 points.

2012 Waters Winery Estate Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($22) This is distinctive in that it is made from co-fermented Syrah and Viognier, direct from the press. It is fresh and lively, with notes of squeezed berries. See the May issue for a full review, 18/20 points.

 

Rosé of Sangiovese - This Tuscan grape can be made into a nice rosé wine. Here are two popular examples.

2012 Waterbrook Sangiovese Rosé, Columbia Valley ($15) Brilliant rose colored, crisp and clean, this offers a lot for the price, especially when $9.99. Reviewed May, 17.5/20 points.

2012 Barnard Griffin Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley ($12) - Brilliant pink colored, this offers appealing aromas of strawberry, Rainier cherry, and orange blossoms. The flavors are bright and lively, with notes of rhubarb pie, orange peel and grape skin, followed by a crisp, sprightly off-dry finish. 17.5+/20 points.

 

Rosé of Cabernet Franc - These are made by cold soaking the crushed grapes for a short period of time, and then pressing off the juice.

2012 Sleight of Hand "Magician's Assistant" Rose of Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, Blackrock Vineyard ($18) - This Rosé shows a pale salmon color and aromas of raspberry, Rainier cherry, rhubarb, cherry blossoms and orange peel. The palate shows notes of melon rind, grapeskin and recurring orange peel, followed by a dry, lightly spiced cherry juice finish. 18/20 points.

2012 Trust Cellars Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley ($18) - Pink colored, this catches the essence of the grape in a rosé format. It offers aromas of freshly crushed raspberries, cherries and a cherry blossoms. The flavors are bright and lively, with notes of cherry pits, orange peel, and grapeskin extracts. The back picks up a dash of framboise liqueur, followed by a juicy, dry finish. 18/20 points.

 

Miscellaneous Rosés - Here are a variety of rosés made from differing combinations of grapes and styles.

2012 Saviah Cellars Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($18) - This is a combination of Sangiovese and Barbera. Cold press fermented, it displays a brilliant light copper color and enticing aromas of wild strawberries, Rainier cherries, orange peel and cherry blossoms. The flavors are ripe and distinct, with notes of grapeskin, melon rind and minerals, followed by a crisp, nicely balanced dry finish. 18/20 points.

2012 Brian Carter Cellars "Abracadabra" Rosé, Columbia Valley ($20) - This is a catch-all blend of 41% Sangiovese, 39% Grenache, 9% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah and 2% Counoise, produced by the saignée method of bleeding off the skins. The result does work. It exhibits a brilliant pink color and an attractive nose of strawberry, Rainer cherry, pink peach and cherry and orange blossoms. The flavors are bright and well extracted, with notes of cherry pit, peach stone, melon rind and grape skins, followed by a deliciously crisp, fruited finish. 18+/20 points.

2012 Robison Ranch Cellars Rosé of Merlot, Walla Walla Valley ($16) - In 2011 Brad and Ruth Riordan made a Merlot rosé and it was so successful, they did it again. Pale orangish-pink in color, it offers aromas of raspberry and cherry, with soft, yet crisp and well defined flavors, with touches of grapeskin and orange peel on an off-dry finish. 17.5+/20 points.

 

Pinot Gris Rosé - Finally, there is this category of rosés made from Pinot Gris grapes that have been given longer hang time, resulting in pale salmon colored wines that possess unique qualities. Here are two such versions.

2012 Julia's Dazzle Pinot Grigio Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills ($16) - Made by Long Shadows, this wine displays a brilliant light salmon color and intriguing aromas of raspberry, pink peach and Rainier cherry with scents of lilac and jasmine, with bright flavors of  tangerine, peach pit and Horse Heaven minerals, followed by a crisp finish. 18/20 points.

2012 Robison Ranch Cellars "Eye of the Pheasant" Rosé, Columbia Valley ($19) - As the name suggests, this shows a copper  hued bird's eye color and fresh aromas of raspberry, cherry, citrus, cherry blossoms and a whiff of smoke. The grapeskin extracted flavors have a roundness that is brightened by crisp acidity and accented by tangerine peel on the refreshing finish. 18+/20 points.