So, there is been some discussion here this year about rose, with much centered on the virtues of California vs France, or else designed for a particular purpose, i.e. a wedding wine. However, there appears to be no thread devoted to tasting notes for rose this year, so I’d like to start one. I’ve been enjoying several so far this spring and would like to see what others are drinking, and what is drinking well this year. I should add that rose is a bit of a tough sell at my house, similar in that regard to riesling. Luckily both categories hold up well if kept cold, so I can open a bottle and return to it as I want even if my wife isn’t as interested.
2015 Hecht & and Bannier Bandol. Wow, excellent Bandol rose. A bit unexpected coming from a negociant at a close out price of about $12, but easily on the level of bigger names in Bandol (pretty much anyone but Tempier?). This is fleshy and complex with deep nectarine flavors and great acid. Loved it.
2014 Hecht & Bannier Bandol. The back of the bottle advises waiting up to five years to drink this. Having had the 2015, and the 2014, I have to say that these are still probably best consumed within a three year of vintage. However, the 2015 was sold out. The 2014 was still available at a similar price. I’m certainly not unhappy with the purchase. This is drinking very well, and I will drink these before the 2015 bottles that I have. Very similar flavors just slightly less fresh.
2015 Fontsainte Gris de Gris. This is a screaming value. Widely available at about $12 a bottle. This is excellent, extremely well integrated acid. Has a good mineral note, it isn’t so much about fruit as about light mineral, acidic, refreshing rose.
2016 Clos Cibonne Tentations. Made from young vine estate fruit, as well as purchased fruit, this is also ridiculous value. Made in a somewhat fleshier, riper style, yet with plenty of acid and a decent minerality as well. It is so young, that I wonder how much of the flesh is just baby fat. In any case, it’s extremely pleasing at this point. It is fresh, and very peachy. There’s a ton of this locally, and when I look for prices on the national market there appear appears to be very little information. I think that’s because it is imported by a small local importer from a suburb here in St. Louis. In any case, I plan to take advantage and buy a bunch. Edit: I see this is mostly grenache, with only about 15% of the Tibouren that dominates in the better-known cuvee speciale. Whatever the blend, it works.
So, I’d love to hear what everybody else is drinking for rose the spring, and what is particularly good this year. I know the 2015 vintage is great in Provence and Bandol, and should be good in California as well. There should be a very good year for rose overall.