Too Late For Rosé? Never

It may be getting late in the year for some, but I'm still a rosé guy. I will be all year. The 2024 Le Rosé Ile de Conas is labelled as a Pays d'Oc IGP, which is largely the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France. Winemaker Paul Mas is renowned in the Languedoc for high quality wine. This is a special budget label he makes for Trader Joe's. 

The grapes are grown quite near the Mediterranean, 25% Grenache Gris, 25% Grenache Noir, 20% Caladoc, 15% Pinot Gris, and 15% Cinsault. I had to run to the internet to find out about the Caladoc grape. It is a red grape, a cross of Grenache and Malbec. It is usually employed in a blend to lend color and heft. Alcohol for Le Rosé Ile de Conas checks in at 12.5% abv and it cost $8 at Trader Joe's.

This wine has a light pink onion skin color. Its nose is full of strawberry aromas, stems and all, plus some cherry and herbal notes. The palate is full, more so than a typical French rosé. The red fruit is abundant, as are minerals, and the acidity is somewhat tame. Aperitif or poolside sipping would seem appropriate, but pairing with a fruit salad or vegetables is not outside the realm of the possible.

 

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