For the past six years, the WDWU group has had a tradition of doing an annual “pink tasting.” This year, on a perfect warm August evening, we convened again (except this time we were missing Rodney, who was in Bordeaux) and mulled over and enjoyed six rosés spanning six countries.
Schloss Gobelsburger Rosé Cistercian
Austria
Zweigelt and St. Laurent
The orange rose Gobelsburger was a bright and fresh starting point. With some unexpected spritz, this rosé had a strong backbone of acidity. While it was very dry and mouth-watering, some of us felt that it was also hot and spicy. Lots of fresh strawberry and sour cherry on nose, and a bit of soapiness just before finish.
12.5% alcohol
$14.99
2009 Château Mourgues du Gres Les Galets Rosés
Rhône
Grenache and Syrah, with a touch of Mourvèdre
The color of fresh strawberry juice is very appropriate for the Mourgues du Gres, which fills the nose with strawberry jam and stony minerality. We found it fruit-forward, plush, and well-balanced, with a long, pleasant finish. With refreshing acidity, it would be fine on its own as an aperitif or great with grilled foods.
12.5% alcohol
$14.99
2009 Churchill’s Estate Rosé
Douro Valley
Touriga Nacional
Like a candied apple, the wine’s bright pink hues shone in the glass. Lots of berry fruits and some minerality here. The mouth-feel was softer and more rounded than the previous three wines, and we all felt that the acidity was moderate and perhaps tempered by the wine spending some time on its lees.
13% alcohol
$13.99
2008 Librandi Ciro Rosato
Calabria
Gaglioppo
From the tip of the Italian boot, this rosé was made from one of Italy’s many indigenous varietals. Magenta with glints of orange, another fruit-forward rose – strawberry jam with a bit of smoke and herbs with an adequate acidic finish.
13% alcohol
$13.99
2007 Sutton Cellars Rattlesnake Rosé
Sonoma County
85% Syrah, 10% Carignane, 5% Tempranillo
A pale garnet – almost the color of a red wine – yet still with a flash of pink, this was our natural wine of the evening. Fermented using wild yeast, unfined and unfiltered,the wine was not unlike a wild ride through the Sonoma highlands. With an intense nose of mashed raspberries and stewed summer berries, with hints of smokiness and a bit of barnyard, the almost extreme fruit and residual sugar are balanced by the high acidity. We were left wondering, was this an erstwhile dessert wine?
13.5% alcohol
$15.99
1998 Viña Tondonia Rosé Gran Reserva
Rioja
60% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 10% Viura
The Tondonia was one of the most unique rosés we had ever tasted. Viña Tondonia only makes a rosé in certain vintages, depending on the quality of the grapes. Our 12 year old rosé definitely held up to the test of time, something that most rosés are not known for, and showed some interesting nutty, Sherry-like characteristics. A pale apricot to onion-skin color, the Tondonia was concentrated and complex with hints of almonds and butterscotch. Quite a contrast to the other fresh fruit-driven wines we tasted.
12% alcohol
$29.99
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