One of my favorite so called wine seasons definitely has to be Rosé season! There's nothing like a crisp, refreshing Rosé when the summer season is in full swing. There are plenty of great ones out there, but these are my two favorites that we have in stock.
My favorite Rosé house has to be D'Esclans, which is owned by Sasha Lichine, a very well-known figure in the wine world. He bought the chateau in 2006 with a clearly stated ambition - "to make the Best Rosé Wines in the World." To go about achieving that goal, he brought in Patrick Léon as the consulting oenologist. Patrick has an extensive resume working for some of the best chateaux in Bordeaux and is probably best known for his work at Chateau Mouton Rothschild. D'Esclans has four different Rosés in their line-up, ranging from $17.99/btl all the way up to $99.95/btl. It's fun to taste all the cuvees side-by-side as you can really detect the different nuances in each. The best bang for your buck has to be the Whispering Angel. In my opinion it's just as good as Domaine Ott and costs about half. Here is my tasting note for the current vintage that we have in stock.
2011 Whispering Angel: This is their introductory wine, and it is a steal for $17.99! Picked from the ripest vines on the property, this is the only cuvee made in stainless tanks. It has nice floral notes and is fresh and vibrant on the nose. Very well balanced, this is a light and refreshing Rosé!
Another one of my favorites that we just picked up this year is the 2011 Castello Di Ama Rosato. Castello di Ama is a legendary producer in Tuscany & is best known for their world-class Chiantis. One of the newest additions to their line up is a Rosato, and it is not to be missed! Robert Parker's Wine Advocate agrees as well giving the Rosato an impressive 91 point score. It's made up primarily of the Sangiovese grape with a splash of Merlot. It is very nicely balanced with layers of fruit that follow through to its soft enveloping finish. It's a serious Rosé that out drinks its $16.99 price tag.
Whether you are chilling at the beach or having a backyard BBQ, these Rosés are perfect complements. I encourage you to give them a try today if you haven't yet. Cheers to Rosé season!