More New 2022 Rosés

Recently, we have tasted some more 2022 Rosé wines, including the first ones from outside of Washington and Oregon States.

2022 Campuget "Tradition" Rosé, Pays du Gard ($11.99 - Safeway) - From South France, this 70% Syrah, 30% Grenache combination shows a brilliant light pink color and aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, pink grapefruit, pink grapefruit, cherry blossoms, pink lilac and pink incense. The flavors are bright and fresh, with pure pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and minerals. The back picks up fraise and cerise liqueurs and grapefruit peel, followed by s bright finish. Incredible for the price. Lynn: 2/3 stars. 18/20 points.

2022 Chateau Gassier Ésprit Côtes du Provence Rosé ($23.99 - wine.com) - This offers a brilliant pink-copper color and lovely aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, red currant, Mandarin orange, pink roses, orange blossoms, pink lavender and lightly spiced pink incense. The flavors are fresh and juicy, accented by grape skins and pomegranate seeds and Provençal minerals. The back picks up fraise and Cointreau liqueurs, followed by a lingering, balanced finish. "I love it! It has depth," says Lynn, 3 stars. 18.5+/20 points. 

2022 Mirabeau "Pure" Côtes de Provence Rosé ($26.99 - wine.com) - This sports brilliant copper-tinged pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, pink grapefruit, pink roses, pink lavender and spiced pink incense. The flavors are delightfully fresh and brisk, with pink fruits that are enlivened by grape skins, pomegranate seeds and Provençal hillside minerals. The appeal continues on the back with fraise liqueur and grapefruit peel, followed by a lingering, lightly spiced balanced finish. Lynn: 3 stars - "delicious!" 19/20 points.

2022 Copain Rosé of Pinot Noir, Mendocino County ($24.99 - wine.com) - This presents a light pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, pink grapefruit, pink roses, pink lilac and pink incense. The pink theme continues on the palate with pink fruits that are accented by cherry stones and North Coast minerals. The back picks up fraise and cerise liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a fresh, finely fruited finish. A charmer. 18.5+/20 points.

The Thief Burgundy Sale 

The Thief wine shop in Walla Walla is having the "First Annual and Most Epic Burgundy Sale," including wines from prestigious Domaines such as Delarche, Bernard Moureau, Arlaud, Faiveley, Pierre Gelin and more. All wines are 10% off and 12 or more bottles are 15% of the regular retail prices. The discounts are off the prices below. Other wines are available besides the ones below.

2020 Xavier Monnot Bourgogne Chardonnay, "Les Grands Coutures" ($34) - This displays a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear-apple, white peach, grapefruit, apple blossoms, acacia flowers and gunflint. The flavors are mouth filling, with yellow fruits that are infused by grape and pear skins, peach stones and granitic minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of nougat and grapefruit peel, followed by a finely fruited finish. The purity gives it a plus. 18.5+/20 points.

2020 Domaine Delarche Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc, "Les Combottes" ($52) - This presents a brilliant gold color and intense aromas of Anjou pear, Elberta peach, grapefruit, pear tree blossoms, acacia flowers and wet stone. The flavors are true to variety, with lavish yet precise white and yellow fruits that are imbued with pear skins, peach stones and high elevation stony minerals. The penetration continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and grapefruit peel and touches of nougat and brioche, followed by s lingering, precise finish. This is amazing and challenges a Premier Cru from the Côte de Beaune. 19.5/20 points.

2020 Domaine Delarche Pernand-Veregelesses Rouge, "Les Boutières" ($42) - This red also overdelivers for the price. It displays a deep ruby-crimson color and perfumed aromas of fraises de bois, cerise, cassis noir, crushed roses, iris, wild violets and sweet incense. The flavors are simultaneously mouth filling and focused, with layers of red fruits that are infused with licorice, cocoa, black tea and high elevation minerals. The saturation continues on the back with macerated fruits, fraise and creme de cassis liqueurs and lanolin ("legs") followed by a lingering, suave ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2020 Domaine Arlaud Bourgogne, "Roncevie" ($50) - From a biodynamically cultivated vineyard near Gerry-Chambertin, this displays a nearly opaque ruby-crimson color and perfumed aromas of black currants, Marionberries, black cherries, black roses, dark tobacco, wild violets and incense. The flavors, as well, are dramatic, with intense yet supple dark fruits that are infused with black licorice, dark chocolate, black tea and limestone minerals. The penetration continues on the back with macerated fruits, kirsch and creme de cassis, followed by a thick, chewy ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.

The following three wines were served at dinner for guests from North Carolina who were visiting Walla Walla for Spring release. They were impressed as well as we.

2020 Bernard Moreau & Fils Chassagne Montrachet Rouge, Vielles Vignes ($89) - Most Chassagne-Montrachet is white, but a small amount is red is made. Brick red colored, this emits seductive aromas of strawberry, cherry, currant. crushed roses, sweet tobacco, violets and incense. The flavors are ripe and velvety yet deep and focused, with red fruits that are imbued by red licorice, cocoa powder and hillside minerals. On the back, the wine intensifies with fraise and creme de cassis liqueurs and pressed fruits, followed by a lingering, suave finish. 19+/20 points.

2019 Domaine Pierre Gelin Fixin 1er Cru, Les Hervelets ($90) - This is a muscular Pinot Noir. It displays a deep ruby color and enticing aromas of blackberries, black cherries, black currants, olive, wild violets and incense. The flavors are thick and mouth filling, with black and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice root, bittersweet chocolate, French roast and minerals. On the back, the wine tales a lavish turn with pressed berries, roasted nuts, creme de cassis and lanolin, followed by a lingering chewy ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2019 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieilles Vignes ($92) - Semi opaque ruby colored, this emits enticing aromas of raspberry, cherry, black currant, crushed roses, sweet tobacco, sweet pea flowers, violets and incense. The flavors are simultaneously bold and refined, with layers of red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa powder, French roast and limestone minerals. The wine deepens on the back with framboise and cassis liqueurs and roasted nuts, followed by a lingering ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.