2024 Weekend À Aix Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé

Well, I spend the afternoon blowing leaves, which means it is effectively and officially fall, so why not have a last bit of summer with a bottle of rosé?  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2024 Weekend À Aix Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out this summer.  This wine is a blend of Syrah (55%), Grenache (40%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%), which portends and interesting wine, so let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a very pale peach color in the glass, almost Chardonnay like, but we'll overlook that.  The nose is just a breath of summer, with aromas of green grass, citrus, peach and a hint of strawberry.  Take a sip and you're greeted with an unexpected rush of sweet fruit, peach, honeydew and strawberry, balanced with tart notes of pineapple and citrus, and a bit of buttery smoothness heading into a crisp dry finish that leaves you refreshed.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's nothing to knock your socks off, but it's certainly a pleasant summer wine for just $13.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, lighter fish and seafood, or just sipping in the cool of the evening.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a crab fest, a giant pile of snow crab legs with drawn butter.  Cheers!

2023 Wines of Substance Ro Rosé

Happy Sunday!  Well, even though it seems that summer is oh so quickly easing into fall, there are still a few weeks left in rosé season, and since it's hot and sticky here today I am going full steam ahead with a 2023 Wines of Substance Ro Rosé that I recently picked up at Costco.  This wine is made from Syrah sourced from the Buckshot Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is pale peach color in the glass, ideal for a nice rosé.  The nose presents aromas of tart apple, grapefruit and a bit of honeysuckle, that has summer written all over it.  Take a sip and you have an interesting complex of smooth summer fruit flavor, melon, peach, strawberry and a hint of citrus that isn't nearly as pronounced as the nose would suggest.  The tannins are well hidden, providing for a smooth dry finish that is very different than you standard crisp finish of a rosé.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely sipping wine that was also a terrific value at just $10.  This wine would pair well with summer evenings on the patio, caprese salad or lighter seafood dishes.  Tonight, I am making this a pure Pacific Northwest experience and enjoying this wine with a miso and sesame glazed wild Alaskan sockeye served with steamed rice and Italian pole beans I bought at the farmer's market.  Cheers!

2023 Bledsoe Family Winery Healy Rosé

Happy Sunday!  I spent yesterday trimming hedges and mowing, so today I needed a break!  I did some laundry and now I'm ready for a nice glass of wine and my Sunday dinner.  Given the recent heat and humidity, I thought it appropriate to once again celebrate rosé season!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from the Bledsoe Family Winery, the 2023 Bledsoe Family Winery Healy Rosé.  This wine is a 100% Syrah from the Flying B Estate, Los Oidos and Kenny Hill Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how summer is treating this wine!

The wine is a pale peach color in the glass, with a more solid color than some recent rosé vintages.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of peach, orange blossom and citrus that signal a bit of refreshment coming your way.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of sweet summer fruit with subtle acidity that practically begs you to enjoy this bottle fully engaged on your patio. The mild acidity and well integrated tannins create a finish that is lingering on the palate, much different from the acidic crush of most rosés.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as I think it's the best vintage yet of this fun summer wine.  This one would pair well with summer salads, particularly a nice caprese with aged balsamic, seared tuna or fun fish tacos.  Tonight, I am taking a decidedly Mediterranean route with this wine and enjoying it with some grilled octopus and fresh summer veggies grilled with herbs de Provence and flaky sea salt.  Cheers!

2022 Seven Hills Columbia Valley Rosé

Happy Saturday!  We've been suffering through a real heatwave here, so what to do except enjoy some of the official wine of summer, rosé!  Tonight I've opened a bottle that was delivered a couple months back from one of my favorite Walla Walla wineries, Seven Hills.  The 2022 Seven Hills Columbia Valley Rosé is made from a blend of red varietals, but primarily Cabernet Franc.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up for the summer!

The wine is a lovely salmon pink color in the glass, perhaps hinting at an ideal pairing.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, peach and honeydew, readying your taste buds for a summer treat.  The first sip is just a rush of fresh fruit, strawberry, melon and a hint of granny smith apple that transition easily to some honeysuckle and a mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is crisp and dry, with a nice bit of acidity that will have this wine as a sure favorite with family and friends on the patio.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a really pleasing rosé that I can see myself enjoying all summer long.  This wine would pair well with a variety of summer salads, feta and roasted beets or sweet pickled cucumber, or some lighter seafood dishes, like cedar planked salmon or grilled octopus.  Tonight, I am enjoying this with a local summer favorite, panko crusted walleye with some wild rice and steamed asparagus.  Cheers! 

2021 Mas de la Baronne Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé

Happy Sunday!  Today I did some actual work as well as some chores around the house, went for a bike ride and was run off the path by an idiot pedestrian that didn't want to move, so now that I've stopped the bleeding on my shin I am really ready for a glass of wine!  And since it's still 82 degrees, it must still be rosé season despite the face that it's October!  So, tonight I've opened a bottle of 2021 Mas de la Baronne Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out over the summer.  This wine is  blend of Grenache and Syrah, so, let's see how it's tasting!

The wine is a pale peach color in the glass, very light as seems to be the recent popular trend in rosé.  After a gentle swirl, the wine offers aromas of peach, lemongrass and strawberry.  The first sip is a surprising rush of ripe berry, raspberry, strawberry and currant, that transition to some earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is crisp and very dry with some mild acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a classic rosé from Provence that would be an ideal summer sipper, especially at a value price of just $10.  This wine would pair well with a variety of fish, from pan fried lake perch to a nice salmon filet, summer salads or a cold pasta salad.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some roasted chicken breasts that I coated in bread crumbs mixed with a bit of Nashville hot spice powder I recently bought, along with some pasta and sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2022 Hazlitt Dry Rosé

Happy Sunday!  Yesterday I had one of the busiest days I can remember, so today I've decided to take it easy, cooking some slow roasted comfort food for dinner, doing a bit of yard work and laundry, and now I'm ready for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of rosé that I picked up on my recent vacation and wine tasting side trip to the Finger Lakes region of New York.  The 2022 Hazlitt Dry Rosé is made from 100% Cabernet Franc from the Hazlitt 1852 Home Farm Vineyard in the Seneca Lake region of the Finger Lakes.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a lovely pale peach color in the glass, quite in character for the current trends in rosé.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of strawberry, watermelon and green grass with a hint of lemon zest.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a fresh, clean depth of peach, strawberry and citrus that wash over your palate, before transitioning to some notes of green grass and a bit of minerality midpalate.  The finish is crisp and dry, ideal for summer sipping on the patio (which is rapidly coming to a close!).

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5 as this wine stacks up to some of the finest rosés from California and Washington to the South of France.  I have to admit I was skeptical of the Finger Lakes when I went to visit, but I was pleasantly surprised.  This wine would pair well with fresh summer caprese salad, a variety of cheeses, seared salmon or barbecue.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a dinner inspired by the other end of my vacation, a Vermont maple syrup glazed ham, mashed potatoes and steamed peas. Cheers!

2022 Underground Wine Project Mr. Pink Rosé

Happy day after St. Patrick's Day!  Despite what a long week I've had, I've decided to open a new bottle of wine to enjoy with my traditional dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2022 Underground Wine Project Mr. Pink Rosé.  The Underground Wine Project was a collaboration between Mark McNeilly (Mark Ryan Winery) and Trey Busch and Jerry Solomon (of Sleight of Hand Cellars) who began this collaboration in 2009.  And here we are.  The 2022 Underground Wine Project Mr. Pink Rosé is a blend of Sangiovese (58%) and Syrah (42%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lovely pale peach color in the glass, just as you'd hope for an ideal summer rosé.  Take a whiff and you're greeted with aromas of peach, strawberry and honeysuckle that might trick your brain into expecting a sweeter wine.  Take a sip and the tropical fruit notes come right to the forefront, but then ease back to let some subtle floral notes of  jasmine and honeysuckle come forward, even as you experience some buttery notes reminiscent of Chardonnay.  The flavors come together for a wonderfully crisp dry finish with a reprise of floral at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a super pleasant drinking rosé, ideal for sipping on the patio this summer.  This wine would pair exceptionally well with salmon, fresh summer salad, particularly caprese or just plain hanging out with friends.  Tonight, I've paired this wine with my traditional St. Patrick's Day dinner of slow cooked corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes along with some buttered soda bread.  Cheers!

2021 Feu Follet Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rose

Happy Sunday!  It's been a somewhat relaxing day as my cooking was largely completed this morning - more on that in a minute.  And now, for the second time in as many weeks, I've reached back to the wines of summer for an appropriate wine pairing for this evening.  The 2021 Feu Follet Coteaux d'Aix en Provence rose is a blend of Grenache Noir (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Carignan (20%) and Syrah (10%), and yes, I know that adds up to 110%, but it's what the label said so I don't have the information to correct the percentages, so we'll go with it (incidentally, this is the first time I've ever encountered a percentage blend that did not add up correctly!).  I bought this wine from Wines Till Sold Out last summer, meaning to enjoy it on the patio, but alas better late than never, so let's see how it's tasting in the winter.

The wine is a lovely peach color in the glass, which seemed to be the trend for 2021 roses.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of citrus and strawberry, with undertones of lemon and hints of apple over the top.  Take a sip and flavors of melon, apple and peach dance on your tongue before easing into some modest mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is at first crisp, but then it smooths out to a lingering dryness.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it continues to evolve as you sip, and makes me sad that I didn't enjoy this wine while the patio furniture was still out.  This wine would pair well with a variety of summer fare, from burgers and barbecue, to summer salads and seafood.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some split pea soup that's been simmering in the crock pot all day, made from the ham bone left over from the Christmas party, the richness of the soup is a perfect foil for this wine.  Cheers!

2021 Claire-Voie Coteaux D'Aix en Provence Rose

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've managed a mid-week post, and tonight it's a throwback to summer.  Given January in Indiana is not even remotely warm and sunny, I thought it might be nice to hearken back to the warm evenings on the patio enjoying a lovely glass of rose with friends.  Ironically, tonight's wine is one I bought from Wines Till Sold Out back in the summer, but time flew by and before I knew it, the leaves had fallen and the patio furniture was put into storage.  So, tonight I've opened the 2021 Claire-Voie Coteaux D'Aix en Provence Rose, a blend of Syrah (60%), Grenache Noir (30%) and Vermentino (10%).  Let's have a glass!

The wine is a lovely peach color in the glass with gold hues along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of green grass, fresh citrus, and the faintest hint of passion fruit.  The first sip is a rush of tart green apple, strawberry and peach that eases into some mineral notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tight, leading in to a faint note of bitterness on the finish (a nod to the Vermentino) which is crisp and dry.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a pleasant rose overall, but I could do without the slight bitterness on the finish.  This wine would pair well with seafood, summer salads or lighter pasta dishes, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a panko crusted grouper filet with jasmine rice and shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon, maple and pomegranate (my new favorite preparation this winter).  Cheers!

2020 Maison Bleue Lisette Rosé

Happy Sunday!  I spend a good portion of the afternoon decorating Christmas trees, and I'll admit I did not quite finish, but at least there is wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Maison Bleue Lisette Rosé.  I know it's a bit past rosé season, but what the heck.  This wine is a pure Grenache rosé from the Summit View Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, so let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is a lovely pale peach color in the glass, with aromas of peach, green grass and hints of rose petals.  Take a sip and you're greeted with crisp citrus, melon and fresh herbs that wash over your palate before transitioning easily to some notes of strawberry and earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is crisp and very dry with a reprise of peach and white floral notes and the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's an ideal summer sipper, perfect for friends on the patio.  This wine would be ideal with a range of summer salads, from a citrus and pomegranate with arugula, to roasted beet and feta.  This wine would also pair well with some curry chicken and vegetables, or classic lighter seafood, like alder planked salmon or pan seared halibut.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some steamed snow crab legs with drawn butter, ideal for a Sunday dinner!  Cheers!

2021 Belles d'Eguilles Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé

Happy Sunday!  I haven't posted in a bit since between fighting a cold and an incredibly busy time at work, I just haven't had the opportunity.  But tonight that changes as I've opened a bottle from a rosé four-pack that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out, what better way to enjoy some nice summer wines from Provence?  The 2021 Belles d'Eguilles Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan from Provence in the south of France.  So, let's see what the Mediterranean rosé has to offer!

The wine is a very pale peach color in the glass, as has been the trend with recent rosé vintages.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of peach, honeydew, tart grapefruit and a bit of lemon zest.  Take a sip and out comes the sun (despite the cool, rainy weather here today) with bright citrus, strawberry and hints of melon, intermingled with some mineral notes that characterize the region.  The finish is somewhat crisp, but very dry, making this wine ideal for outdoor summer dining.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a solid rosé at a good value, but it's not as impressive as others I've enjoyed this summer.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, barbecue, burgers and brats as well as hearty fish dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some crispy skin salmon done mid-rare, some wild rice and haricots verts almondine.  Cheers!

2021 Les Vignerons d'Aix en Provence L'Exception Méditerranée Rosé

Happy Sunday!  It's been a day of best laid plans, as I had originally planned to trim all my hedges, but as I started my hedge trimmer, the blades would not engage, and since I'm reticent to trouble shoot in situations where I might lose a finger, I decided to merely trim larger branches and dig up some pesty trees.  And now I am ready for wine and dinner on the patio.  Since we are in the the heart of rosé season, I thought it best to open something from Provence, which I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2021 Les Vignerons d'Aix en Provence L'Exception Méditerranée Rosé.  This wine is a blend of Grenache and Caladoc (a cross of Grenache and Malbec), so let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a pale peach color in the glass, in line with the current trend in rosé.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals a cascade of peach, melon and pineapple that just dares you to sip by the pool, a true summer day in the glass.  Take a sip and all the flavors of summer come to greet you, peach, melon, citrus and fresh cut grass with plenty of bright acidity and bits of honey and sunshine.  The finish is crisp and dry, perfect for sipping on the patio with friend.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a wonderfully classis rosé  ideal for the summer season.  Enjoy this wine with summer caprese salad, shrimp cocktail or gazpacho for a wonderful afternoon.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some crispy skin Scottish pearl salmon with some dill cream, along with some risotto and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2020 Hampton Water Languedoc Rosé

Well, it's certainly feeling a lot more like summer, highs today in the upper 80s (with mid-90s predicted for tomorrow!) and humidity of 85% it seems perfect for a nice bottle of rosé!  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently bought from Wines Till Sold Out, the 2020 Hampton Water Languedoc Rosé.  This wine is another collaboration between fame and wine, as it's the result of a collaboration between Jon Bon Jovi and his son Jesse, along with Gerard Bertrand to create a unique rosé from the Languedoc region in the south of France.  This wine is a blend of Grenache(60%), Cinsault (15%), Mourvedre (15%) and Syrah (10%).  So, let's see how refreshing this wine can be on a hot, humid evening!

The wine is a pale peach color in the glass, which seems to be the trend among rosé the past couple years.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of peach, strawberry and a bit of citrus that invites you to imbibe.  Take a sip and you're transported to the beach, with a rush of wonderful fresh fruit dancing on your palate, intermingled with some earthy notes of basalt.  The finish is wonderfully crisp and dry with just a hint of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's an ideal everyday rosé and a good value at just $19.  This wine would pair well with a variety of summer dishes, though it practically begs to be consumed with seafood.  Which comes in handy as tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bit of low country boil as I picked up some crawfish over the weekend, along with corn and potatoes and some creole and Old Bay seasoning makes for a perfect summer patio meal.  Cheers!

2021 Sieur d'Eguilles Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy weekend, so it figures that right at the end of it, I finally have some time to sit down and enjoy a nice glass of wine.  Since we are in the heart of rosé season, I figured it would be nice to open a bottle and enjoy it with dinner and out on the patio, perhaps with a fire tonight.  So, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Sieur d'Eguilles Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé that I bought in a recent $10 case sale from Wines Till Sold Out (and no, it wasn't $10 a case, but $10 per bottle in the case!).  The wine is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon, so, let's see how it's tasting.

The wine is a very pale peach color in the glass, as you might expect from the region.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of citrus, peach and honeydew with hints of mineral undertones.  Take a sip and your nose and taste buds part ways as you're treated to a rush of red berry fruit, strawberry, raspberry and currant, with just a touch of citrus at the finish, which is crisp and dry.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a classic rosé from Provence and a terrific value for just $10!  This wine would pair with a broad range of summer dishes, from barbecue to a wide range of salads, burgers to light fish dishes.  Tonight, I have gone completely the opposite direction and am enjoying this wine with some comfort food, of classic tuna noodle casserole topped with crushed potato chips!  Cheers!

Mediteranore Rose Côtes de Provence

Happy Saturday!  I was looking for a nice rose to enjoy with dinner tonight and happened upon this non-vintage Mediteranore Rose Côtes de Provence.  This seems to be a somewhat odd rose season, as they have been somewhat harder to find at my local markets and wine stores.  In any case, with summer in full swing and my dinner tonight practically begging for a rose, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a pale orange/peach color in the glass, as you might expect from a rose from Provence.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of peach, strawberry and a hint of camembert and a bit of steel minerality.  Take a sip and you're greeted by orange citrus, peach and fresh cut melon before transitioning to some notes of crisp steel minerality midpalate.  The finish is light, crisp and refreshing with a dryness that is not overbearing, but ideal for summer sipping.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's a lovely summer rose and a good value at just $12.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, light fish dishes, seared sea scallops or a lovely ceviche.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a wonderful crab fest, as I picked up some king crab legs at Costco yesterday, which I've steamed along with some corn on the cob and tangy cole slaw.  Cheers!

2021 DaMa Wines Rose of Cabernet Franc

Happy Friday of a three-day weekend!  I have to admit, I've sort of eased into this weekend as I'm taking some vacation days next week, but still I'm looking forward to some wonderful meals and wines over the next few days!  To start things off, since the weather has been seasonably warm and humid, I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2021 Rose of Cabernet Franc from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  Well, since rose season has started, whether officially or not, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a pale peach color in the glass, a somewhat lighter rose.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of peach, honeysuckle and just a hint of citrus that suggest tasteful refreshment for a warm summer day.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a basket of summer fruit, strawberry, peach, raspberry and citrus that are just right for the season.  The finish is crisp, dry and refreshing, just the right note to keep you coming back for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a wonderfully refreshing rose for summer, and it's a terrific value at just $20.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, caprese salad, grilled vegetables or a wonderful cedar planked salmon.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some lobster bucatini, as the fruit and acidity in this wine are the ideal foil for the richness of the lobster cream sauce.  Cheers!

2021 DaMa Grenache Blanc

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted on a Wednesday given how busy my work life has been, but tonight that changes with a recent wine club selection and a wonderful spring dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2021 DaMa Grenache Blanc from the Painted Hills Vineyard in the Columbia Valley of Washington.  It's rare that I review a white wine, so let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a wonderfully pale golden hue in the glass.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of citrus, honeydew and pear with just a hint of oak underneath.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of white grapefruit, melon and white peach, that transitions to some earthy notes of green grass and oak midpalate.  The finish is crisp and delightful, with a balanced acidity and classic dryness that make this wine an ideal summer sipper for the patio.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, and although white wines are not my forte, this wine was truly a pleasure to drink.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, pasta or halibut, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a special dinner.  I picked up some fresh morel mushrooms at my local market as they are now in season and decided to make some morel and asparagus risotto for dinner this evening.  The acidity of this wine is a perfect balance for the earthy richness of this risotto.  Cheers!

2021 Bledsoe Family Winery Healy Rosé

Happy Monday!  It's been a while since I've done a Monday post, but I'm having a special dinner tonight, which calls for a special wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from the Bledsoe Family Winery, the 2021 Healy Rosé which is made from 100% Syrah from the Kenny Hill, Flying B and Los Oidos Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  Now I'll admit we aren't even close to rosé season given that's it's barely broken the 50s hear lately, but why not be optimistic and start early?  At any rate, let's see what this wine has to offer for the summer!

The wine is a lovely peach color in the glass, with just a hint of honey color.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of peach, honeydew and a bit of citrus zest that would be ideal for a warm evening on the patio.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of pear, strawberry and a hint of lemon that ease into some mineral notes midpalate.  The finish is dry and crisp, with lingering citrus notes, making this a wonderful summer favorite.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, though I may be biased given this is my first rosé of the year.  This wine would be great with summer salads, burgers and brats or even Thai lettuce wraps.  Tonight however, I am enjoying this wine with a crispy skin Scottish black pearl salmon filet with some wild rice and oven roasted carrots and asparagus.  Cheers!

2020 Helix Rose of Sangiovese

Happy Friday!  It's been a busy week, and I am more than ready for the weekend, so tonight I've opened a nice summer rose, since the weather has been heating up again.  It's also Washington Wine Month (though I confess, reading on Twitter, it seems as though Washington Wine Month happens at least three or four times a year), so I've opened a bottle that I brought back from my vacation to Walla Walla last month.  The 2020 Helix Rose of Sangiovese is a wonderful rose wine based on Sangiovese sourced from the Royal Slope AVA of Washington (the Royal Slope was designated as an AVA in 2020, with a south facing slope that's much cooler than the Wahluke Slope to the south).  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a lovely, light peach color in the glass, in line with many recent Washington roses.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of peach, citrus and green grass that seem like a breath of summer to be inhaled.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of crisp summer flavors, bright citrus, wild berry and vibrant herbs with hints of melon and apple.  The tannins are wonderfully integrated for a delightfully crisp, dry finish that lingers on the palate more than you might expect from a rose.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderful summer sipping wine that I will enjoy on the patio later this evening.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, lettuce wraps of Thai chicken, and of course seafood.  Tonight I am taking the classic approach and enjoying this wine with some herb crusted wild cod loins, along with some farro and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan Lu & Oly Flowerhead Rose

Happy Friday!  It's getting really hot and humid here, which can only mean that rose season is in full effect!  Perhaps this weekend we might make it all rose all day, what do you think?  In any case, tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Lu & Oly Flowerhead Rose, from Mark Ryan Winery in Washington.  This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (89%), Merlot (6%), Syrah (4%) and Grenache (1%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So, let's see if this wine is as refreshing as the artwork on the label!

The wine is a pale peach color in the glass, a near perfect rose color.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of strawberry, peach, green apple and a hint of green grass.  Take a sip and your greeted with a rush of zesty citrus up front that enlivens your tastebuds, before transitioning to some wonderful velvety peach and raspberry notes midpalate.  The finish is crisp and dry, with a lovely lingering feeling that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very pleasant drinking rose that would be perfect on the patio all summer long.  This wine would pair well with a range of lighter summer fare, from caprese salads to Asian chicken lettuce wraps.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my first adventure with Uber Eats and a crab and lobster feast from Red Lobster!  Snow crab legs, lobster tail, crispy Brussels sprouts and of course their amazing cheddar biscuits.  I admit I rarely dine out when I'm home, but my company gave me an Uber Eats gift card last Christmas, so I thought I should use it.  Cheers!