Pale salmon color. The aromas are excellent, featuring bright, ripe, fresh red fruit, underpinned with hints of orange peel and minerals. The palate stays bright and fresh, but with some real density. The flavors follow the aromas, there are now some floral hints. This is excellent Rose, but some noticeable heat on the finish keeps it from an even higher score. The label reads 14.5%, I believe it. Rated 92.5, ready to drink. On a cool Maine evening with a local roast chicken and local asparagus, this is truly excellent. But I don’t think I would open one on a hot summer evening. This may come into its own in autumn.
Thanks, Dan. I’ve been disappointed by the 2019 roses from France so far. I normally love the Galantin Bandol, but it was over 14% and is much softer and hotter than last year. I’m drinking the Charvin CdR rose now, and it’s the same story. Because of all the delays a lot of these wines are arriving a bit late, but I’m going to be very selective with 2019s…I like crisp, quaffable roses. My favorite 2019 so far is actually an OR rose, the Timothy Malone Nebbiolo rose.
Like you Marshall I prefer crisp roses. I haven’t tried many thus far, but of what I have tried: Tempier has been absolutely on point, but I suppose that’s not a surprise. Domaine La Suffrene (also a Bandol) is another I liked for 2018, and I’ve found the 2019 enjoyable.
In general, I’ve found the '19 Roses I import (not d’Olivette, something I got locally) have avoided the high alcohol / low acid problem. Of course that means that have not avoided the tariffs! This has had a huge impact on my business. A few I import usually are over 14% and also retain acidity, they are not from Provence and they have been true to form. But I agree that it is a ‘complicated’ year for French Roses. My Provence Roses are under 14%, as fresh, piquant and well-reviewed as ever, we’ve tightened our belts, they are selling well despite the part of the tariffs we could not absorb and the very late start to the season, along with current additional delays, due to everything, and I mean EVERYTHING!
WHEW!
Glad I opened the Olivette when I did, I have 5 bottles left, will enjoy them on cool evenings like tonight.