So last night was the neighborhood wine tasting (about 60 attendees), topic Rosé, which brought out way too many of the usual cheap industrial supermarket suspects (Angeline, Josh, etc) suspects, but also several interesting things, including a Sangiovese rose from Baja and these two:
2020 Rancho Maria Vineyards Petite Sirah Rosé Dry Creek Valley
One of the most intriguing wines brought to a neighborhood rose tasting of some 60+ bottles tonight. Blew my mind--my first PS rose and probably my last because who does that? Rusted light red color, dry, more savory than sweet, nicely evolved, no oxidation. Admirably different.
2020 Malene Wines Rosé Central Coast Rosé Blend
My WOTN. Light coral pink, dry, minerally, and most importantly no signs of age except that it had so much depth. A true standout from a winery I'm not familiar with. Very classy label. I suspect mourvedre is a major component but the label is noncomittal.
From earlier in the week:
2023 Long Shadows Wineries Sauvignon Blanc Cymbal Columbia Valley
Consumed over three days, and the last was better than the first. Crisp with galia melon fruit but also a tad feral with freshly mown grass and lemongrass. Would definitely buy again.
From Thursday, when I had some friends over, with the intention to serve these with green chile burgers:
2004 Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
I killed it. Removed cork the night before and allowed it to slow ox overnight but stupidly forgot to check in on it until 2 p.m. the next day. Too much time: first sip was good but the fruit faded immediately and I had to dump it. It's friend fared better:
2017 Château Ormes de Pez Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
Slow-oxed overnight. Unmistakably Bordeaux with medium-everything, and it didn't die. Nice stuff for $30.
2020 Long Shadows Wineries Pirouette Columbia Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
This is what I grabbed from the cellar to replace the Pontet Canet. Too young, no secondary development as yet. Was much better the next day but alas, too late.
2023 Failla Chardonnay Pearlstad Vineyard Eola - Amity Hills
Outstanding, brighter and more minerally than this producer's Sonoma whites.
2022 La Frenz Chardonnay Freedom 75 Vineyard Naramata Bench, B.C.
On the richer side leaning toward butterscotch, but the acidity balances it just enough.