Open Mike: Spanish Rosado.

Must be warm enough in quite a few areas to think of opening a Rose Rosado so why not go ahead. If your pink is not from Spain, thats OK. Lets think pink...I have the new vintage from Artazuri ready-to-go but look out for Torres, Chivite or even Muga.

The 2006 Vina Sanzo Rueda Rose is decent, but not the no-brainer that the 2005 was. Just doesn't have the same core of sappy berry fruit.

Rainy weather here, but I still like a good rosé. I'll buy the new vintage of Azul y Garanza next time I go to Alko - their's has every year been one of the most satisfying rosés available here.

Rainy weather here, but I still like a good rosé. I'll buy the new vintage of Azul y Garanza next time I go to Alko - their's has every year been one of the most satisfying rosés available here.

Look forward to your notes Otto. I am always looking forward to the new vintage of Artazuri and I will be interested to see how your tasting notes compare to mine.
Not sure how many other roses I can handle though. Quite a choice here!!
Otto, do you have any sparkling roses handy??

WTN: `06 Artazuri Garnacha-Navarra.

Always highly regarded in this part of the vinious world, a very good producer. 13% alc, $16 Cdn, just released.

The colour was quite deep and hard to describe, say strawberry with reddish tones? Where is my colour chart!!. On the nose, red bery fruits, esp. strawberry. No cola juice with this one, good fruit density, lengthy minerally finish. Raspberry and strawberry round out the palate, medium acidity. No bitterness apparent, has good focus. I really believe in these rosados, not too sweet in my mind.

Whilst here talking about Rose wines, thought I would mention a nice one I tasted last week from Hendry, the owner was in town. Situated in the south-west corner of the Napa Valley, 117 acres and established in /39.

The 2006 Rose is a result of a blend of cab sauv and primitivo, fermented dry with peach and nectarine aromas. Very refreshing on the palate and well liked by many taking part in the presentation.
There was a very good zin as well as a nice Bordeaux type blend.

WTN: Rosa de Azul y Garanza 2006 Navarra 13,5% 12,65€


A rather dark colour for rosé. It smells like fresh strawberries: sweet and summery with a faint savouryness to it. It smells rather like a good Beaujolais in fact except without the earthy nuances. The palate isn't as light, fresh nor as acidic as I remember previous vintages to be, but it is still refreshing enough and a great deal of fun to drink.

The rate at which it disappears into me: alarming.

-O-

Good note Otto. Thanks for supporting this Open Mike!!! Maybe we are not finished yet, c`mon forumites.