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Bonny Doon Big House Pink, 2004 ($10.99) - This is the new vintage of last year’s bestseller. It’s what rosé wine should be: bright, vibrant, refreshing, fruit-filled, and barely off-dry. This wine is for those of who can’t wait for warm weather. Delicious! Bieler Rosé, Provence, 2006 ($11.99) - This is one of the least expensive dry rosés from Provence, but it is quite charming and shows a softer texture and more fleshy, generous fruit than most. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a sub- or circa-threshold level of residual sugar here to brighten up the fruit, but it is still a dry wine that is perfect for warm weather sipping.
Crios Rosé of Malbec,
2005 ($12.99) - Made by Susanna Balbo, a noted enologist in Argentina, this dry Mendoza rosé shows good body,
fruit, and acidity with just a hint of residual sugar to brighten the fruit. Chateau du Rouët, 2006 ($14.49) - This quenchingly dry, mineral-drenched wine shows off the uncanny ability of rosés from Provence to be both slurpable and serious. Treat this as more than simply an aperitif or "summer quaffer"; this formidably rich rosé pairs wonderfully with a wide range of foods from sushi to pasta, cooked seafood, chicken, and veal. Provence rosés are generall blends of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and sometimes a little Cabernet and Merlot. Château de Puligny-Montrachet Rosé de Pinot Noir, 2005 ($16.99) - The initial press on the 2005 vintage in Burgundy is extremely positive, and this is the first shot at tasting one. Rosé from Burgundy is commonly made from the grapes left on the sorting table, that is the ones that aren’t good enough to make a fine red wine. This was unnecessary in 2005 because the grapes were uniformly ripe and balanced. Etienne de Montille, who manages this rising star in the Côte de Beaune, blended 50% upper hillside grapes (for minerality and finesse) near Monthelie with 50% grapes grown on the flats of Volnay (for richness and depth) where the clay soil is deep. The result is a gorgeous, floral rosé with lovely cherry and raspberry notes. It’s refreshing, classy, and the perfect summer wine. The vineyards are farmed organically.
Chateau Valcombe Rosé, Côtes
du Ventoux, 2007 ($16.59) - This terrific dry rosé was bottled unfined and unfiltered by
Paul Jeune, the sixth generation winemaker and owner of Domaine de
Montpertuis in Châteauneuf du Pape. He acquired Valcombe in 2000 from
Claude Fonquerle who had rediscovered the potential of this extraordinary
site at an altitude of 1000 feet on the lower slopes of majestic Mont
Ventoux. This elevation offers relief from the hot, dry Mediterranean
climate. “Galets,” rocks worn smooth and round by the Rhône River,
cover the ground. They reduce evaporation of the scarce moisture, and they
capture energy from the sun during the day, radiating it back on the vines
at night. These factors insure ideal ripening conditions for the grapes.
The difficult climate, rocky, infertile soil, and the old vines combine to
limit yields and produce remarkable quality. This is a blend of mostly
Cinsault with some Grenache and Counoise. Most of the vines are 60 years
old. Despite the dramatic weakening of the dollar since last year, the
price of this new release is unchanged from the 2006 Commanderie de Peyrassol Rosé, Provence, 2006 ($17.99) - One of our best dry rosés! This historic property was founded by the Knights Templar who were dedicated to protecting the pilgrims en route to the Holy Land. The first recorded harvest took place in 1256, and winemaking has continued uninterrupted. When the Templars were brought down in 1311 by the greedy King of France, the Knights of Malta became the owners of the Commanderie. They remained in control, flawlessly maintaining the vineyard until the French Revolution, when it was taken over by the State. The Rigord family purchased the estate in 1870. The current proprietor, Francoise Rigord, has been making the wines at Peyrassol since 1981 and has now been joined by her son Francois. Sixty-five hectares of vineyards are cultivated organically, and yields range from 25 to 40 hl/ha. This fine rosé is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsault. Due in shortly. Marsannay Rosé, Bruno Clair, 2005 ($19.99) - Made from 100% Pinot Noir in this northern outpost of Burgundy, this special rosé shows the fruit and texture of the outstanding 2005 vintage. Yummy!
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