I wonder if it is time to start deciding what rosés to buy for this summer.
Last year my two favorites were the 2010 Tempier and the 2010 Terrebrune, with the Terrebrune winning on qpr as it was $25. That said these wines were only just barely better that the 2010 Bedrock rosé which as I recall was $20.
So far I’ve only had the 2011 Bedrock and it is stunning. Quite possibly one of the best rosés I’ve ever had. I’ll post a TN when I pop another bottle.
The roses coming out of Washington this year are going to be really good. I’ve tasted Maison Bleue, Kerloo, Sleight of Hand, and my wife has tried Buty, Fjellene, and all of them are very good. I’ve been calling 2012 the year of the rose!
Zepaltas and Vaughn Duffy are worth seeking out. The '10 Vaughn Duffy was hand down my favorite rose last year.
Try the VICTOR HUGO 2011, Paso Robles. Just talked to Vic Martin and they’re getting ready to release it. The 2010 was great, it was all free-run juice and so is the 2011.
I’m sorry, it’s Vic ROBERTS, not Martin.
A 2011 Rose I found on Berserker day that was excellent…Virage.
I tried a Tempier several years ago to see what all the fuss was about. For about half the price I can get Dacalier which I think is just as good. I also like the WA rosés. For super good QPR, Borsoa is hard to beat if you can find it.
Strongly recommend Ch Leoube from Cotes de Provence. It is our go to summer rose. Their more expensive cuvee Le secret de Leoube is also very nice.
The 2011 Arnot Roberts Rose of Touriga Nacional is exceptional.
-Al
The 2011 Copain Rose (I think it’s from Pinot) was delicious, very crisp and flavorful.
The Tempier is approx. 50% Mourvedre and 25% Grenache, the Dacalier the flip side of the coin at 75%+ Grenache and 25% or less Mourvedre. While you might prefer one over the other, I would expect them to be quite different.
I really like Bandol rosé, and Tempier is a top example. Over the past couple of vintages, however, I have come to prefer Bastide Blanche over Tempier (and its $22-25 price over Tempier’s $40).
Three from California that I can recommend without reservation are the wonderful Copain (enjoyed with Alan, among others), Bedrock’s old vine Mourved Rose, Arnot-Roberts and Rochioli.
It’s exciting to see some producers from California take this style seriously.
2011 Lagier Meredith
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I’ve tasted quite a few so far and as a group 2011 is the best vintage to date IMHO.
From Dan Kravitz’ Hand Picked my favs are:
- Bargemone
- Lancyre
A few other stand-outs: - Barnard Griffin Rose of Sangio
- Apaltagua Carmenere Rose
- Valcombe imported by Neal Rosenthal
Have you tried Shane’s Ma Fille? Lovely rose of syrah.
Domaine Sorin produces two reliably good rosés:
- Bandol - 60% Mourvedre, 40% Grenache
- Côtes de Provence - 40% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 5% Rolle, 5% Orgi
Another perennial favorite is Dom. de Fontsainte Corbières ‘Gris de Gris’ - 70% Grenache Gris and Noir, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan, 10% Cinsault.
I haven’t purchased my rose’ wines for the coming summer yet. Some I have enjoyed in the past are a Chinon rose’, Bruno Clair Marsannay rose’, some Sancerre wines from the Cotats, and the Muga Rioja rose’.
We had a terrific 2010 Bedrock Ode to Lulu while watching the Masters yesterday afternoon. Great stuff.
2011 Lagier Meredith
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