Villa Des Anges “Old Vines” Rosé, Pays d’Oc
Here’s a pretty little folly from winemaker Jeff Carrel of the Languedoc-Roussillon. Bright and wild strawberries on the nose, with a plume of toasted herbs. It heads toward darker fruit and a leesy note of almond and ripe banana on the crisp finish on the palate. This label always brings good quaff-able quality wines to the market. For an awesome read, check out his Les Barons. It’s a big old grandpa of a wine.
Commanderie de la Bargemone Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence
Aix en Provence is one of the loveliest towns in Southern France. If you ever visit (you should) t make the 20 minute trip outside the city to this equally delightful winery in the Provencal countryside. Founded by Templar knights in the 13th century, it is currently owned by two local Provencal families.
Quaintness aside, Commanderie produces one of the very best rosés produced in the Coteaux d’Aix. This wine has a nose of grapefruit and cantaloupe underpinned by wildflowers. It holds a deep sliver of acidity that keeps the mid-palate fresh and vibrant. Flavors of white peach, bright lime, watermelon, and red fruit roll through the flinty finish.
Cline Mourvèdre Rosé, Contra Costa County
Mourvèdre is a deeply tannic wildcat of a wine, most well known as the “M” in GSM blends. Who would think this grape could turn out to be so much fun in pink? Quaffable flavors of fresh cherry and cucumber are rounded out with fresh thyme and cantaloupe. Sourced from 80-year-old vines.
Charles and Charles Rosé, Columbia Valley
A rose made by two guys named Charles. Charles #1 is the owner of Washington’s K Vintners and Charles Smith Wines. The other is Charles Bieler of Bieler Père et Fils (the Fils) and the Gotham Project in NYC. C&C started as a rosé-only project. It’s expanded its scope over the years (great value Chardonnay, among others), but the rosé will always be my favorite in this line. This bottle is all about fresh berries. Well-made and throwing more berry flavor at you by the second. It finishes with berries, starts with berries. Berries!
Falesco “Vitiano” Rosé, Umbria
A field of strawberries and peach pit. It finishes bone dry despite the big tutti fruity pop in the attack. The owner/winemaker of this wine is Riccardo Cotarella, the Italian wine consultant known as Il Mago (the wizard). He didn’t get the nickname for his ability to pull handkerchiefs out of his nose. I doubt he has time for such mischief, anyways, with all the awesome wines he makes in Italy and France.
Château D’esclans Côtes de Provence
For the past five years, this winery has been producing a remarkable portfolio of rosé wines. The ultimate bottle is the Garrus, which is the finest rosé I have tasted in years. It also is about $100 bottle. That said, keep an eye out for their regular bottling of rosé ($25) and the Whispering Angel, both of which are exceptional.