May is Rosé
May has arrived! If those 80-degree days last month were any indication of the summer that lies ahead, then we’ll need to be well stocked in rosé! It’s never too early to get into the rosé spirit.
Here is the pre-summer Top-10 Best Rosé List!
1) 2015 Domaine de Triennes Rosé Vin de Pays de Méditerranée ($13.99)
Always one of Leschi Market’s best sellers. “Pale pink. Red fruit and notes of citrus contribute to the aromatic complexity. It has the harmony and elegance that has earned worldwide appreciation of the rosés of Provence. Principally Cinsault, blended with Grenache, Syrah and Merlot.” –Winery notes.
2) 2015 Tranche Cellars Pink Pape Blackrock Vineyard Yakima ($14.99)
One of the absolute best domestic pinks around! Consists of 31% Cinsault and 23% Counoise and 46% Grenache. “Pale salmon in color with light pink hue. Delicate aromas of rose petal, honeydew melon and white peach, with lifted notes of sweet pink grapefruit and lemon peel. The wine is fresh and lively with bright stone fruit and mountain berry flavors complemented by wet river rock minerality. Driving acidity and citrus qualities provide focus and direction, drawing out the palate to a mouthwatering finish. 637 cases made.” –Winemaker notes.
3) 2015 Gerard Bertrand Gris Blanc Rosé Pays d’Oc Languedoc Roussillon ($13.99)
“A very pale pink color plus grey and almost white tints. Grenache is the king of grape varieties when it comes to making light, racy, fruity rosés in contemporary style. Grenache reveals all its suppleness and cherry aromas. Its fig and sometimes cocoa flavors, coupled with rounded sensations on the palate, make Grenache one of the great varieties of the south of France.” –Winemaker notes.
4) 2015 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé Pfalz Germany ($10.29)
“Is made with fruit from vineyards farmed expressly for the purpose of producing a rosé. Upon harvest, the fruit is given a brief maceration to extract a lovely salmon color from the Pinot Noir grapes. The resulting wine is light and refreshing, with deliciously bright fruit flavors and a clean, zippy finish. It’s perfect for holiday meals, especially when ham is involved.” –Winemaker notes.
5) 2015 Vidal-Fleury Rosé Côtes du Rhône ($14.99)
“Pale pink with salmon reflection. On the nose, delicate, based on a floral expression (peony) and fresh fruit (raspberry, strawberry). On the palate refreshing, fruity (raspberry). Mineral on the finish. A blend of 50% Cinsault, 30% Syrah and 20% Grenache.” -Winery notes.
6) 2015 Mr. Pink Rosé of Sangiovese Underground Wine Project Columbia Valley ($11.19)
The first release of this all-Sangiovese Rosé from the Underground Wine Project, the collaboration of Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan and Trey Busch of Sleight of Hand! Bright strawberry and watermelon fruit with spicy notes and a refreshing acidity make this a perfect go-to rosé.
7) 2015 Syncline Rosé McKinley Springs Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills ($18.69)
“Our creation of this wine is in direct response to our love of crisp, dry Rosé. The color is a striking pale salmon pink with aromas and flavors of tart strawberries and melon skin. Finishing completely dry, this is as serious as Rosé gets. 39% Cinsault, 36% Carignan and 25% Grenache. 595 cases produced.” –Winemaker notes.
8) 2015 Château de Campuget Rosé Costières de Nîmes ($9.39)
50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre. “This wine is an intense peony pink color. Its bouquet is very aromatic, exhaling scents of small red fruits such as raspberries or black currants. In the mouth, there is a perfect balance between vivacity and mellowness. The final taste is very long, leaving a delicate impression of fruitiness.” -Winemaker notes
9) 2015 Château Beaulieu Rosé Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence ($13.99)
“This traditional dry Provençal Rosé is bright and fruit-forward with exotic fruits of guava and papaya, and white floral aromas on the nose. It has body and structure, yet is fresh on the palate with beautiful minerality. A versatile wine that pairs beautifully with a wide variety of seafood.” –Winemaker notes.
10) 2015 AIX Rosé Coteaux d’Aix en Provence ($13.99)
A Leschi Market staple, the Aix Rosé is a bright, pale pink in color and offers soft, ripe summer fruit character with delicate balance and crisp acidity. Aix is perfect for an aperitif and a great match with light salads, grilled fish, white meats and Asian food.
CHEERS! ENJOY!
Kenneth Benner, a Seattle area native, is a trained chef and has worked in such restaurants as Barbacoa, B.O.K.A. Kitchen + Bar, and Dahlia Lounge. Ken is the wine buyer at Leschi Market. He has a passion for learning, a meticulous palate, and a tenacity for searching out the best for his customers while offering some of the most highly coveted wines in the area. His wine column is intended to inspire and explore new choices in wine, learn about wine with his readers, and share his knowledge and experiences in the wine world. Check out the latest at www.LeschiMarket.com or request to be added to email updates or send questions, comments, or suggestions to ken@leschimarket.com and follow the wine department directly on twitter at twitter.com/leschimarket.