WTN: Pretty tasty New World Rose

2006 Sophia (Niebaum-Coppola) Rosé, Carneros, California, $16. Produced from Pinot Noir grapes of the Carneros region, this pink/peach-colored Rosé radiates a lovely perfume of strawberries and garden flowers. It is well balanced and flavorful, with cherries and strawberries lingering on the lengthy finish. Paired well with grilled halibut. Discounters have it for $12; 87/87.

I last had this wine (2004 vintage) at Thanksgiving dinner in 2005. Our daughter-in law cooked pheasant, which was stuffed with a bundle of fresh herbs. Lovely infusion of flavors, which went well with the wine.

I certainly second your recommendation for this wine.

-- Clark

I can see this working well with pheasant. Rose is the Rodney Dangerfield of wines -- never gets any respect.

Dear Randy,
Do you know the alcohol on this? The Coppola site was superbly unhelpful.

Walt

Nice wine, Randy, thanks. I had a glass today with lunch -- perfect at 94F.

Do you know the alcohol on this? The Coppola site was superbly unhelpful.

I'm sorry -- the bottle has gone to the dumpster. It wasn't hot at all, FWIW.

Do you know the alcohol on this? The Coppola site was superbly unhelpful.

I'm sorry -- the bottle has gone to the dumpster. It wasn't hot at all, FWIW.

No problem, usually I would dismiss a U.S. rose out of hand, but for $12 from Carneros I might be willing to take a shot. My taste tends towards the high-acid, so 14+% alcohol is often a key that I won't like it. However, the Matanzas Creek NV rose was 14.5% (!) and despite low acid was beautiful, so who knows?

Walt

BTW, I screwed up -- it is Sofia, not Sophia. Hi-Time has it for $12.

Walt, I had it by the glass, but the waiter showed me the bottle: 12% on the label but the distributor told the waiter it ran 11.5 % alcohol.

The waiter had a neat one liner: "This is Pinot Noir dressed up for the prom!"

Rose is the Rodney Dangerfield of wines -- never gets any respect.

I'm not so sure that is true, Randy. Tempier has always had a pretty big following, and it is a Rose, at least according to Kermit Lynch, that can age. If they get no respect, it's probably from the same folks who also turn up their nose at most white wines. Which simply makes them.. well.. I was going to say `idiots'... but what I really mean is closed minded.

I'm not so sure that is true, Randy.

Maybe not for this community, but we are a tiny fraction...

I'm not so sure that is true, Randy.

Maybe not for this community, but we are a tiny fraction...

Even in this community, I and many others are guilty of thinking of rose as only a feather-weight quaffer to celebrate the advent of summer. Honestly, few wines bring as much joy as rose, so it's not as if they are a lower life form, but I rarely pull one out for an offline or fancy dinner party.

Walt

Honestly, few wines bring as much joy as rose..

Well, in my book that might be stating the case just a bit too aggressively.

... but I rarely pull one out for an offline or fancy dinner party.

Try starting the evening with a lovely Rose' ... either a still wine or sparkler will work just fine and add a very nice touch to the menu.

-- Clark

Dear Randy,

Sorry it took so long to try this, my first bottle was corked. When will they learn to not put short-lived wines like rosé under some kind of synthetic stopper? Thankfully Costco was cheerful about exchanging it.

2006 Francis Coppola / Niebaum-Coppola Sofia Rosé - USA, California, North Coast, Carneros (7/22/2007)
12%. $10 at Costco, list $16, $18 at Molly Stone's in San Francisco (for shame, Molly). Piercing nose of strawberries, overripe strawberries, pear eau de vie, watermelon, and Thompson Seedless grapes, amply continuing in the mouth with brilliant acid and full flavor but not full body. This is one of those wines that is in no way profound, except the joy derived from drinking it. In the interest of full disclosure, it strongly reminds me of wines I had on my honeymoon. Very Good+.

Wow! Thanks, I've found my rose for the summer! I get more Provence from the Sofia than I do from the Provencal rosés available out here. I really appreciate the tip.

Walt

Wow! Thanks, I've found my rose for the summer! I get more Provence from the Sofia than I do from the Provencal rosés available out here. I really appreciate the tip.

Glad you like it, Walt -- ten bucks makes it a real steal.