As we go into mid-summer, we have sampled more rosé wines from France and America. Here are our latest discoveries.
American Rosés
2018 Basel Cellars "2901" Estate Rose of Syrah, Walla Walla Valley ($23) - 2901 Old Milton Highway its the winery's address. From the Double River Vineyard, this shows a copper-pink color and aromas of raspberry, cranberry, tangerine and cassis, with scents of pink roses, lilac and pink incense. The flavors are more extracted than usual for a rosé (whole cluster pressed) with notes of grape skin, dried cranberries and minerals. The back picks up framboise and cassis liqueurs and tangerine peel, followed by a finely fruited dry finish. 18.5/20 points.
2018 Maryhill Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley ($13.99 - Safeway) - This is one of the nicest Sangio rosés we've run across. Brilliant pink-rose colored, it possesses attractive aromas of strawberries, cherries, red currants, pink roses, pink lilac and pink incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing with bright red fruits that are accented by grape skin, strawberry and cherry liqueurs and minerals, followed by a balanced dry finish. 18.5/20 points.
2018 Januik-Novelty Hill "Spring Run" Rosé, Columbia Valley, Stillwater Creek Vineyard ($18) - This 90% Syrah, 7% Grenache, 3% Mourvèdre combination displays a brilliant pink color and aromas of raspberry, pomegranate, red currant, pink roses, lavender and pink incense. The flavors are nicely extracted, with tasty red fruits that are accented by grape skin, pomegranate skis and kirsch, followed by a lightly spiced moderate acid finish. 18+/20 points.
2018 DeLille Cellars Rosé, Columbia Valley ($32) - Composed of 52% Grenache, 39% Mourvèdre and 9% Cinsault, this Rosé displays a light copper-pink color and a lovely nose of strawberry, red currant, pomegranate, watermelon, wild roses, lavender and whiffs of spiced incense. The flavors are exquisitely extracted, with notes of grape skins, pomegranate seeds and minerals. The resonance continues on the back with sensations of fraise and cassis liqueurs and melon rind, followed by a lengthy dry finish. 19/20 points. Lynn: three stars (highest rating).
2018 La Crema Pinot Noir Rosé, Monterey ($15.99 - Safeway) - I thought I'd try a California Rosé and picked up this one at Safeway. It shows a light salmon color and attractive aromas of Marion berry, Rainer cherry, tangerine, cherry blossoms and white incense. The flavors are crisped lively, with notes of grape skin, gently pressed berries, tangerine peel and sassafras tea, followed a juicy finish. 18/20 points.
French Rosés
2018 Domaine de Pallus Chinon "Messanges Rosé," Cabernet Franc ($19.99 - wine.com) - This Loire Valley Rosé offers a light copper color and intriguing aromas of Marion berry, white cherry, red currant, pink roses and pink incense. The flavors are nicely extracted, with notes of grape skin, pink grapefruit and Loire river minerals. The wine gains texture on the back with sensations of kirsch and cassis liqueurs , followed by a dry, juicy finish. 18.5/20 points.
2018 Briotte "Esprit Barville" Côtes du Rhone Rose ($13.99 - Esquin) - This shows a light salmon color and aromas of raspberry, currant, pomegrate, tangerine peel, red roses and pink smoke. The flavors are light and fresh, yet mouth watering, with notes of gently squeezed fruits and pomegranate seeds, followed by a lightly spiced dry finish. 18/20 points.
2018 Château de Manissy Tavel Rosé ($15,99 - Esquin) - Copper-pink colored, this rosé emits intriguing aromas of strawberries, currants, tangerine, pink roses, lavender and pink incense. The flavors are well extracted and balanced, with notes of grape skin, fraise and cassis liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a nicely fruited dry finish. At $15.99 this a steal of a deal. 18.5/20 points.
2018 Domaine Pelaquie Tavel Rosé ($18.99 - wine.com) - Composed of 60% Grenache and 20% each of Mourvèdre and Cinsault, this shows a brilliant rose-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, red currants, pink roses, lavender and pink incense. The flavors are ripe and lively, with nicely extracted fruits along with stony mas minerals. The wine enlivens further on the back with cerise and cassis liqueurs and pomegranate seeds followed by a dry finish. 18.5/20 points.
2018 Les Hauts du Vallon Bandol Rosé ($21.99 - wine.com) - Composed of 45% Mourvèdre, 45% Grenache and 10% Cinsault, this rose offers a light copper color and intriguing aromas of wild strawberries, pink cherries, melon and tangerine with scents of cherry blossoms, wild flowers and pink incense. The flavors are nicely extracted, with notes of grape skin, melon rind and calcareous minerals. The back picks up fraise liqueur and recurring tangerine peel, followed by a pleasing juicy dry finish. 18.5+/20 points.
2018 Les Adrets Bandol Rosé ($20.99 - Esquin) - Light pink-peach colored, this rosé possesses an attractive nose of wild strawberries, red currants, tangerine, pink roses, lavender and whiffs of oriental incense. The flavors are fresh and sprightly, with notes of grape skin, fraise and cassis liqueurs followed by a resonant, dry finish. 18.5+/20 points.
2018 La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé ($22.99 - Esquin) - Brilliant copper-pink colored, this possesses enticing aromas of cherry, pomegranate, tangerine, pink lilac, lavender, Provençal herbs and incense. The exquisite flavors are deftly extracted, with notes of grape skin, pomegranate seeds and recurring tangerine peel, followed by a long, pleasing juicy finish. 19/20 points. Lynn: three stars. "Such a beauty."