Three weeks ago, I reported on Mike Eberle's tasting of Rosés from Walla Walla Valley wineries. Last evening (May 26), Mike put on another tasting of the top Rosés from the first two rounds, the "Best of the Best." Ten wines were tasted blind in two flights, and then the top five were retasted in a final round. Here are the top five in order of overall preference by the participants.

2014 Palencia Pinot Noir Rosé, Ancient Lakes - This wine seemed to have wide appeal for its floral aromas and vibrant strawberry and watermelon flavors. I found it to be very nice, but not paricularly complex. See below for my full review.

2014 CAVU Barbera Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, Alder Ridge Vineyard - I found this to be the most interesting Rosé in the final round and ranked it first. See full review below.

2014 Seven Hills Dry Rose, Columbia Valley - Predominately Cabernet Franc (with 8% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot), this came on as and attractive, balanced Rosé, and I ranked it third. Reviewed in the April issue of the Review of Washington Wines.

2014 L'Ecole No. 41 Grenache Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, Alder Ridge Vineyard - This was a nice rendition of South Rhone style Rose with bright fruits and a dry finish. See review below.

2014 Julia's Dazzle Pinot Gris Rose, Horse Heaven Hills, Benches Vineyard - Made from Pinot Gris grapes that were given extended hang time to produce its copper hue, this was a pleasant wine. Reviewed April.

It were my observatons at the two tastings I attended that ranking Rosés depends, to a large degree on personal preference. Some like them drier, some a bit sweeter. When tasting Rosés, I look for complexity, which seems to be found more often in those made in the Rhone or Provence style. Interestingly, the 2014 College Cellars Mourvèdre Rose was ranked number one overall by the three wine professionals on the tasting panel, Tim Donahue (College Cellars), Mike Eberle (Maison Bleue) and myself (Review of Washington Wines). See the June issue for my review of that wine.

New Rosé Wine Reviews

2014 Palencia "Vino la Monarcha" Pinot Noir Rosé, Ancient Lakes ($15) - This is an excellent value for those who prefer a less dry Rosé. Light copper-pink, it possesses charming aromas of wild strawberries, watermelon, tangerine, jasmine and white incense. The flavors are light and sprightly, marked by Ancient Lakes minerality, and accented by touches of fraise liqueur, melon rind and orange peel, followed by bright fruit acids on the off-dry finish. 18+/20 points.

2014 CAVU Barbera Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, Alder Ridge Vineyard ($20) - Light copper colored, this offers intriguing aromas of strawberry Rainier cherry and plum, with scents of cherry blossoms, rosebuds and spiced white incense. The flavors are bright and lively, with sensations of pressed juices, grapeskin and stony minerals, followed by an orange peel imbued bone dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

2014 Saviah Cellars Rosé Wine, Walla Walla Valley, Dugger Creek Vineyard ($18) - This 50/30 Sanviovese and Barbera combination shows a brilliant pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, Rainer cherry, and tangerine, with scents of cherry blossoms, pink lilac and white incense. The flavors are fresh and lively, brimming with summer fruits and creekside minerals. The appeal continues on the back with fraise and cerise liqueurs, followed by a juicy, lighlty spiced finish. 18+/20 points.

2014 L'Ecole No. 41 Grenache Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, Alder Ridge Vineyard ($21) - Pink-copper hued, this offers attractive aromas of strawberry, Rainir cherry, pink peach and tangerine peel, with scents of cherry blossoms, jasmine and spiced white incense. The flavors, as well, are enticing, with bright fruits that are accented by peach stone, grape skin and Horse Heaven minerality. The back picks up touches of fraise and cerise liqueurs on the way to a lingering, Provençal-like lightly herbed and spiced finish. 18+/20 points.

2014 Gärd "Grand Klasse" Grenache Rosé, Columbia Valley, Lawrence Vineyard ($25) - I picked this up at Studio TwoZeroTwo in downtown Walla Walla. It shows a light peach color and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink peach, Rainer cherry, pink lilac, jasmine and spiced white incense. The flavors brim with bright summer fruits that are imbued with peach stone, grape skin and alluvial minerals. The back picks up fraise, pêche, and cerise liqueurs, followed by a juicy, dry finish. It evokes a South Rhone Rosé such as a Tavel. 18.5/20 points.

2014 Ardor Cellars Mourvèdre Rose, Walla Walla Valley, Nostra Terra Vineyard ($22) - Also from Studio TwoZeroTwo, this Rosé shows a copper hued pink color and exotic aromas of raspberry, pomegrante, orange peel, rose petals and spiced oriental incense. The flavors, as well, are intriguing, with bright fruits that are imbued with peach stone, grape skin and stony minerals. The back picks up framboise liqueur, pomegranate seeds, and recurring orange peel on the way to a dry finish that recalls a Bandol from Provence. 18+/20 points.