A rose tasting Sunday night, all wines served blind, with a pretty high level of surprises. This group loves to be stumped.
NV The Eyrie Vineyards Spark Willamette Valley Rosé Blend
Vic put this out right away. Was the only wine this night that didn't get a lot of love though we would love to have loved it as Jason Lett is a friend of the group. Pale orange color, unusual initial notes of ash and rubber. It grew on us somewhat but mostly stayed in the 'weird' zone. PN, chard, chasselas and pinot blanc.
2021 Pamplemousse Jus 100% Leon Millot Pet Nat Rosé Okanagan Valley
I jumped right in with this one, expecting not to like it much. Mine; a mercy purchase of sorts from a vendor at the Penticton Farmers Market last October. Way exceeded expectations: Dark taupe-y pink, cidery, red apple and quince flavors with a note one guy called plastic "but not objectionable". Another commented "Not in the barnyard but definitely on the farm." Unusual and strangely compelling. It was one of the few empty bottles at the end of the night.
2022 Fattoria La Valentina Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Montepulciano
Tasted blind. Tavel-like; dark pinkish red, sharp and herbal, some tannins, but it's an Italian Cerasuolo. Big hit at the table. Apparently available locally for $12.99--BARGAIN! Will definitely be socking some of this away for later.
2022 Chaberton Estate Winery Valley Pink Fraser Valley Rosé Blend
My wine. Young and dark pink but dry, Tavel-like with a lot of savory characteristics and some tannins. After Tavel was ruled out questions focussed on origins and virtually the entire planet was ruled out before anyone thought to suspect our closest neighbor, Canada. A co-ferment of zwiegelt and viognier with Madeline Angevine added in barrel, it was that best of all things to bring to a blind tasting: hugely attractive, unique and impossible to guess.
2022 Echeverría País No Es Pituko Maule Valley
Tasted blind. Dry funky nose, unfiltered, with notes of blood orange and dust. Loved it, A-.
2021 Domaine Lelievre Gris de Toul Côtes de Toul Gamay-Pinot Noir Blend, Gamay
Tasted blind. Restrained fruit and high acidity, like a fresh apricot picked a little green that needs a few days to ripen.
2019 Savage Grace Wines Blanc Franc Red Willow Vineyard Yakima Valley Cabernet Franc
Another one of mine. Though not a trace of pink in this vintage, a prior one had a very slight blush AND it's made from 100% red grapes so I deemed it qualified to be here. As is generally the case with Michael Savage's whites, this is only just coming together at 4 years out. Complex mixed white and yellow fruit flavors with white pepper.
2022 Pradeux Bandol Rose
This is a producer we all love, but the wine was unrecognizable. Intense notes of passion fruit dominated the nose, also pink grapefruit and a big dose of pepper. Odd.
At this point Daniel put out a deeply colored rose whose name I unfortunately did not get a chance to write down. It was Hungarian, and a blend of merlot, CF and PN. I gave it an A+.
And then Vic put out a German Reisling/PN blend that tasted of nectarines and dill pickle brine. Very sour. Again, didn't catch the label.
2015 Clos Cibonne Tibouren Côtes de Provence Cuvée Spéciale des Vignettes
Tasted blind. Gabe's wine. Rusty coral color with a mildly oxidated nose, tastes older too but that's why I love it. Saville orange, ginger, saline and and apricot brandy on the finish from the flor. Really special.
2021 Joel Gott Rosé Central Coast Grenache Blend, Grenache
Tasted blind, and this is why you taste blind: here's a producer geeks look down on but the wine was actually very en pointe for what it's supposed to be and terrific at $10 on closeout. Mostly grenache.
2021 Domaine les Pallières Au petit bonheur Gigondas Red Rhone Blend
Perfect time to trot out my Giggie. Exceptionally pale for a rose with a fresh nose of cucumber starfruit, galia melon and tomato water. Very dry. Wonderful.
2021 Château de Manissy Tavel Tête de Cuvée Red Rhone Blend
Tasted blind. Electric red color and hard to guess, having little markers for Tavel as know it: no tannins, no tarragon, no sherried notes but with a bit of red vine licorice. Pleasant, but for Tavel it misses.
2022 Château Thivin Beaujolais-Villages Rosé Gamay
Perfect flavor and balance for a gamay rose.
2020 Clos Cibonne Tibouren Côtes de Provence Cuvée Spéciale des Vignettes
Tasted blind. Flor not evident here like the 2015 poured a few bottles back, but Tibouren's classic blend of savory and strawberry notes makes a great impression. Just excellent. I don't know why I don't buy these all the time; I should.
