WTN: July Rosés

With this being rosé weather, I tried a few new ones this year.

2010 Vera de Estenas P.G. Rosado de Bobal Utiel-Requena
A fuller-bodied rosé, crisp, well balanced, with good underlying acidity. Shows pleasant floral/red berry aromas, with further notes of watermelon and cinnamon. Very good - nice QPR at $13.

2010 Château de Pampelonne Côtes de Provence Rosé
A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Tibouren. Light to medium-bodied, well balanced, elegant, with red berry, floral, and mineral notes. Very good.

2010 Domaine de Nizas Coteaux du Languedoc Rosé
A blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Grenache. Medium-bodied, round; ripe, yet elegant and well balanced. Shows red berry, plum, floral, and mineral notes. Very good.

2010 Domaines Ott Côtes de Provence Rosé Château de Selle “Cœur de Grain”
Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Cinsault, with a small amount of Syrah.
Attractive floral/berry nose. Light to medium-bodied, lightly crisp, fresh, and very elegant, with notes of red berries, pink flowers, minerals, and watermelon. Excellent, but again, it’s more expensive than either Tempier or Cotat are, and neither of those are exactly cheap.

Anyway, I'm still hoping to try the Baudry Chinon rosé that others have raved about.

Had the '07 Tempier Bandol Rosé and the '07 Ott Romassan Coeur de Grain side-by-side over lunch some time back. Very different in character and both very good rosés. My notes are here.

I've also tasted through the entire '08 rosé line of Château d'Esclans, including their $100 Garrus at Vinexpo HK 2010. Let's just say I never hesitate to buy and open Tempier's rosé and would not hesitate with Ott's either. The Garrus? It's good, but definitely it cannot justify its price.

A new rosé for me this month was the 2010 Tempier Bandol Rosé. Crisp with strawberry and watermelon notes, and a good dose of minerality on the finish. Delicious!