And not a dog in the bunch. The core Dorks consist of two retailers, three distributors and me/Bob. This array pretty well reflects our collective Euro-centric tastes.
2013 Domaine de Fontsainte Corbières Gris de Gris Rosé Blend
From magnum. Watermelon and pear, very dry, orange-y, and we suspected correctly that it had a little age on it. It wasn't sherried, there was just some interesting other-ness that's not typical of a new recruit. Very good.
2015 Domaine de la Mordorée Côtes du Rhône Rosé La Dame Rousse Red Rhone Blend
Mordoree can do no wrong. Richest color in the lineup and fruitier than most but pleasingly dry and savory, too.
2015 Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux-de-Provence Rosé Grenache
Classic Provence rose, flawlessly good.
2015 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Il Rosé di Casanova Toscana IGT Sangiovese Blend, Sangiovese
Palest rose of the day. Love the way this looks so light but delivers so much on the palate. Watermelon, rose petals and a hint of sandalwood. Very precise.
2015 Left Coast Cellars Pinot Noir Rosé Willamette Valley
Nose is pure papaya. On the palate, it's round and slightly creamy-tangy with a little oregano. Did not pick up on the pinot-ness, but it was good.
2015 Domaine de Blaise Côtes de Provence Rosé Blend
Super dry, rich, slightly cheesy, chalky minerality, limestone, great balance with pear and starfruit. A fave of the night and a good reminder that those genie-shaped bottles aren't all stupid. (I tend to ignore them.)
2015 Domaine Notre Dame des Pallières Gigondas Red Rhone Blend
Strawberry-watermelon nose, sweet entry, ripeness lingers on the finish. This was the closest to off-dry of all the wines. Made from 1/3 ea grenache, syrah and cinsault.
2015 Graham Beck Gorgeous Pinot Noir Chardonnay Western Cape Rosé Blend
My wine. A bit of sulfur and more earthiness on the palate than I remember from the last bottle we opened. Some salinity and a bit of tannin keep it more serious than the frilly label would suggest it is. Showed well; only 11.5% alcohol. In fact, one of the distribs was disturbed to find out this wine exists, as he reps Graham Beck but doesn't have this in his book--and he loved it.
2014 Joseph Mellot Reuilly Les Milets Pinot Gris
Lovely. Pale warm pink, smells like a white wine, spicey and floral (think nasturtium flower), great acidity and clean finish. Turns out that this is 100% pinot gris. One of the best of the day.
2015 Domaine du Vissoux / Pierre-Marie Chermette Beaujolais Les Griottes Gamay
Pale coral. Notes of canteloupe suggest gamay, dry finish says Beaujolais. Great every vintage, including this one.
2015 Gramercy Cellars Rosé Olsen Vineyard Columbia Valley Rosé Blend
My wine. Vibrant aromatics leap out of the glass with tangy red currant, rhubarb and strawberry fruit, tomato leaf, dust, and a refined balance much closer to Bandol than Washington (in fact, the consensus of the group was that it WAS Bandol, our rose idol). Lots of wows around the table, especially when unveiled. WOTN for me (and most) and honestly the best WA rose I've ever tasted. A shout-out to the vigneron, Greg Harrington, who sent it to me. One of the retailers is going to order it in immediately, and I'm taking half a case.
2015 Lost River Winery Rosé Columbia Valley Rosé Blend
From cab franc, merlot and barbera. Vitamin nose, yeasty, rich on the palate, lower acid. Very pleasant but we all would have wished for just a touch more acidity.