About a year ago (16 May, 2013), I posted a Review Blog article about "This Season's Rosés and Their Various Styles. It turned out to be the most read posting of the year, 742 "hits." This is a remarkable testament to the growng popularity of rosé wines. Four years ago, hardly anyone would have paid any attention to these wines. For this season, here is a compilation of recommended rosés, grouped according to type.
Rhone Valley Style - Most of these are Syrah, some with Grenache, Cinsault or Counoise.
2013 Tranche Cellars "Pink Pape" Rosé, Yakima Valley, Blackrock Vineyard ($16) - Counoise, Cinsault, Grenache. Reviewed in the May issue of the Review of Washington Wines - 18+/20 points.
2013 Balboa Rosé of Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Eidolon Vineyard ($20) - Reviewed May - 18.5/20 points.
2013 K Vintners Syrah Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($20) - Reviewed May - 18.5/20 points.
2013 Renegade Wine Co. Rosé, Columbia Valley ($10) - Syrah, Cinsault, Counoise - April - 18/20 points.
2013 Waters Rosé Wine, Washington State ($18) - Co-fermented Syrah (55%) and Viognier (45%). Reviewed April 18.5/20 points.
2013 Gramercy Cellars Rosé, Columbia Valley, Olsen Vineyard ($25) - Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah - June - 18.5/20 points.
Provençal Style - These are modeled after the rosés of Aix en Provence (Grenache and/or Mourvèdre) and Bandol (Mourvèdre).
2013 L'Ecole No. 41 Grenache Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, Alder Ridge Vineyard ($19) - Reviewed June - 18+/20 points.
2013 Kerloo Cellars Grenache Rosé, Yakima Valley, Angolina Farm Vineyard ($20) - Brilliant pale pink colored, this emits enticing aromas of strawberry, Rainier cherry and watermelon, with scents of cherry blossoma, pink lilac and white incense. The flavors are fresh, ripe and minerally, with notes of fraise liqueur, melon rind and orange peel, followed by a lightly spiced finish, akin to a Aix en Provence Rosé. (New Review). 18+/20 points.
2013 Gard Vintners "Grand Klasse" Rosé, Columbia Valley, Lawrence Vineyard ($25) - This Grenache Rosé comes from the Royal Slope near Othello. It displays a brilliant pale pink-copper color and an intriguing nose of Rainier cherry, watermelon and tangerine, with scents of cherry blossoms and spiced white incense. The mouth feel is dry, yet flavorful, in the mannert of a Provence rosé, showing notes of grape skin, melon rind, orange peel and stony minerals, along with precise extraction and fruit acids on the lingering finish. (New Review). 18.5/20 points.
2013 College Cellars Mourvèdre Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, Birch Creek Vineyard ($16) - This resembles a Cotes de Provence Rosé with its pale copper color and aromas of pink peach, tangerine, melon, wildflowers, herbs, and white incense. The flavors are light bodied, yet well defines, with notes of peach pit, melon rind and hillside minerality, followed by a dry, lightly spiced finish that evokes the wine's sun drencehed high elevation terroir. (New Review). 18+/20 points.
2013 Ardor Cellars Mourvèdre Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, Birch Creek Vineyard ($28) - Reviewed June - 18.5/20 points.
Cabernet Franc Rosés - These are made by cold soaking the crushed grapes for a short period of time, and then pressing off the juice.
2013 Sleight of Hand Cellars "Magician's Assistant" Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, Blackrock Vineyard ($18) - Reviewed April - 18/20 points.
2013 Trust Cellars Rose of Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley ($18) - Pink colored, this comes on just as it is, a rosé made from Cabernet Franc, with aromas of crushed raspberries, cherries and orange and cherry blossoms. The flavors are fresh and lively, with notes of cherry pits, orange peel and grape skin, followed by a juicy, dry finish. (New Review) 18/20 points.
2013 Seven Hills Winery Dry Rosé, Columbia Valley, ($17) - Reviewed in the 19 February Blog. - 18.5 points.
Miscellaneous Rosés - These are rosés made from various varieties and combinations.
2013 El Corazon "Red Frog" Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($20) - Produced from Malbec, Reviewed May - 18+/20 points.
2013 Barnard Griffin Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley ($14) - May - 18/20 points.
2013 Saviah Cellars Rosé, Walla Walla Valley ($18) - This combination of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Barbera from tge Dugger Creek Vineyard offers a light copper color and interesting aromas of pink peach, tangerine, ruhbarb and spiced white incense. These aromatics are mirrored in the deft, semi dried fuit flavors that pick up a bit of heft from sensations of melon rind and orange peel on the back, followed by a squeeze of citrus juice on the dry finish. (New Review). 18/20 points.
2013 Tertulia Cellars Rosé of Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley, Riveres Galets Vineyard ($18) This comes from the winery's estate vineyard in the "Rocks" of the South Valley. It displays a light salmon color and intriguing aromas of grapefruit, Rainier cherry, orange blossoms and lavender. The flavors are well juiced, yet dry, with notes of melon rind, orange peel and riverstone minerals. The back picks up touches of bitter Marcona almond that characterizes the Tempranillo grape, followed by a classic "old world" dry finish. (New Review). - 18+/20 points.
2013 Castillo de Feliciana Rose of Tempranillo, Columbia Valley ($19) - Reviewed May - 18/20 points.
The following two wines are made from Pinot Gris grapes that have been given longer hang time, resulting in pale salmon colored wines that possess unique gualities.
2013 Castillo de Feliciana "Vino Verano" Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley ($16) - May - 18+/20 points.
2013 Julia's Dazzle Pinot Grigio Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills ($18) - May - 18.5/20 points.