The dorks gathered to taste roses. The host served some really excellent grilled salmon and the rest of us brought side dishes. In all 21 wines were presented; here are my sketchy notes on most of them.
2023 Bodega Rezabal Getariako Txakolina Txakoli Rosé Hondarrabi Beltza
Vic's. Very pale golden pink, high acid with dust, rhubarb and green bell pepper notes. I've liked prior vintages better, but still: great way to start a blind rose tasting.
NV Treveri Cellars Rosé Brut Columbia Valley Rosé Blend
Barbie pink color, and made by blending syrah and chardonnay. Indistinct watermelon and cranberry fruit, very dry. Not bad for $16, though. Treveri, btw, is Washington state's only all-sparkling wine producer. They make almost everything--the traditional blends plus gewurz, riesling, Sauv Blanc, even syrah. You name it, they'll effervesce it. Most are under $20. I'm more impressed with their ambition than their results, but over the years I've seen a lot of improvement (friends were in their club).
2013 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Rosé Emotion Champagne Blend
SWOON. Swirl, sniff, sip. SWOON again. One of the most perfect sparkling roses I've ever had. A+. Warren's, of course.
2022 Fattoria La Valentina Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Montepulciano
Loved this when Doran brought one a year ago, loved it again now. Still very Tavel-like in color and flavor--raspberry/cherry, fennel, tarragon and a little bitter on the finish. Yes a tad less sharp and assertive than a year ago, but no less attractive.
2021 Château Barbebelle Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé Héritage Rosé Blend
Very pale carnation pink; a blend of grenache, syrah and cabernet. Distributed in Canada but apparently not down here, and I bought it about two years ago when a very assertive French wine shop manager in Vancouver pretty much demanded I buy it. "Eet eez expenseeve but so worth it!" Glad I did. Beautifully dry and svelte, flawless structure and balance. One of my favorites of the tasting, even if I brought it.
2022 Domaines Ott Côtes de Provence By.Ott Grenache
Pretty pale coral pink. Fruit forward and 'girly', especially following the '21 Barbebelle.
2023 Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Rosé Pinot Noir
Bart's. Fairly ripe and sweet for a Sancerre, no backbone. Though only $16 at Costco; I'd pass.
2019 Château Le Puy Rose-Marie Vin de France Merlot
Borrowing from the last review: earthy red berries, herbs, metallic rust, leather and mild funk, red apple skins, and leather. Full bodied for a rose. Alcohol's 15% but all present agreed it doesn't show. Outstanding quality; another winner from Warren.
2023 Domaine Vetriccie Île de Beauté Rosé Rosé Blend
Classic Provence, or so we thought until the reveal. Corsica!
2022 Gramercy Cellars Rosé Olsen Vineyard Columbia Valley Rosé Blend
A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah. Delish, but tasted blind it's just a little extra big and ripe so it doesn't pass for French.
2010 R. López de Heredia Rioja Rosado Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia Grenache Blend
There's a decidedly orange hue in this, something I've not seen in a LdH rose before. Intense nose of fresh peaches with sweet tomato on the palate, a real WOW of a wine. Don't normally score wines but I've got to throw some points at this because a CT 92.7 is way too low. Warren's.
2021 Navarro Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
My contribution. Pretty, balanced and crisp--a really lovely expression of pinot noir rose.
2021 Cayuse Grenache Edith Rosé Walla Walla Valley
Doran brought this and a 2020 to compare side by side. Cantaloupe and strawberries, some RS. Would be cloying if not real cold. Alcohol's moderate at 13.3% but it feels like more; pretty much everyone preferred the 2020.
2020 Cayuse Grenache Edith Rosé Walla Walla Valley
Including in a tasting with a '21 Edith for comparison. The '20 was widely preferred: drier, lower alcohol (12.8%), and more shall we say ladylike.
2019 Impuls Cellars Rosé Columbia Valley Sangiovese Blend, Sangiovese
My wine: a 60/40 Sangiovese/Cab Franc from Red Mountain that's aging beautifully. "Is this Tavel?" was the first question. Deep almost red in color but it has never tasted extracted.
2022 Two Vintners Very Necessary Stonetree Vineyard Wahluke Slope Zinfandel Blend
Vic's bottle; a Primitivo and Petite Sirah combo, very masculine. More like a chillable red than an actual rose. Which is not a complaint.
2023 Domaine le Galantin Bandol Rosé Mourvèdre Blend, Mourvèdre
Fleshy and fruity; too new/young but interesting.
2021 Clos Cibonne Tibouren Côtes de Provence Cuvée Tradition Rosé Cru Classé
It wouldn't be a rose tasting unless someone brought a Cibonne, and someone did. Complex fruit, spice and herb.
2020 Château Simone Palette Rosé Rosé Blend
My bottle. A fairly dark rose with a lot of body and structure. Really delivers for its reputation--always a concern when something costs $75/bottle that it won't live up to expectations, but this did not disappoint. Apparently it's 100% mourvedre. We need more mourvedre roses!
2022 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir Rosé Eola - Amity Hills
Very pale, great nose, complex. Very surprised on reveal that it wasn't Provence!