This medium dark wine shows plum and blackberry on the nose, with hints of black pepper and herbs. The palate brings those dark flavors amid a somewhat watery mouthfeel with medium-firm tannins. On the medium-long finish, those savory spice and herb notes come forward. I bought this for cooking, for which it was fine. It was decent as a sipper, but a little disappointing in aromas and flavors.
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Here are a few pink wines found by Mack and Schühle which would fit nicely on anyone's porch or patio.
Mosketto Frizzante Rosato NV
This fun, pink wine comes from the Vino d'Italia appellation, from grapes grown in Piedmont. It's a blend of 80% Moscato and 20% Brachetto grapes which the distributor says is produced in a "modified Martinotti method." Fermentation is stopped to keep the alcohol low and the fruit fresh. Alcohol content is only 5.5% abv - a real summer sipper - and the wine retails for $12.
This wine is very sweet, very low in alcohol and as drinkable as it gets. There is no brain-stumping complexity here, just sweet, simple sipping pleasure. The Moscato/Brachetto blend is a wine of Italy, one that shows sweet floral aromas and sweet peaches on the palate. Acidity is fairly low, but the wine pours frizzante and will be suitable for spicy or salty dishes.
The appellation is Vin de France - I don't have any more specific sourcing for the vines - and the organic grapes are 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. The wine has alcohol at 13% abv and a sticker price of $14.
This beautiful, pale salmon-colored wine has a nose which is just as gorgeous - melon, cherry and strawberry aromas dominate, with a little herbal angle in the mix. Herbs become more focused on the palate, which carries a nice tartness along with the racy acidity. There is a grapefruit flavor draping the red fruit and adding to the freshness. It's a really great, and complex, rosé.
The importer says the wine is released each year in time for the French celebration of Springtime, the Fete des Fleurs or Festival of Flowers. The grapes involved are 40% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 10% Carignane, 10% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre and 2% Rolle. It was aged on the lees, or sur lie, carries alcohol at 13% abv - possibly as low as 11.5% - and it sells for $19.
The 2020 Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Blanc is made up of 40% Grenache Blanc, 21% Viognier, 19% Roussanne, 15% Marsanne and 5% Clairette Blanche - sourced from various Paso Robles vineyards which lean in the Rhône direction. For this wine, those vineyards are Derby, Tablas Creek, Fralich, Creston Ridge and M du R.
They say the wine "marries the richness and vibrancy of Grenache Blanc with the aromatics of Viognier and the structure and minerality of Marsanne, Roussanne and Clairette Blanche."
Alcohol tips in at 13% abv and the wine cost around $25 when I bought it recently at a local specialty store.
The golden tint has a green element to it. The wine's nose is a veritable fruit basket of tropical aromas - pineapple, mango, lemons - and a quarry full of minerals. The mouthfeel is rich and creamy, yet with a zing of acidity that tingles. The palate brings Meyer lemon, some tangerine and a touch of apricot to the party. Delicious.
The red version - the 2019 Patelin de Tablas - is a blend of four red Rhône varietals: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Counoise. They say it is "based on the dark fruit, mineral and spice of Syrah, with the brightness and fresh acidity of Grenache, the structure and meatiness of Mourvèdre and small additions of Counoise for complexity."
The rouge is medium dark, but light enough that I can see through it. The nose displays brambly blackberry and black cherry. On the palate, blackberry and blueberry notes are right up front. It is very fresh and fruity, and I hardly notice any oak effect at all, although it was fermented in oak and steel and aged for a year in upright oak tanks. The wine drinks quite smoothly, with tannins that are fairly firm. The medium finish is all about the fruit.
The stars of the tasting were Bob and Maggie Tillman, the father-daughter team who run the business. Winemaking is handled by relative newcomer Molly Lonborg. Bob commented at the outset of the session that Alta Colina is his "retirement program run amok." He has been at it for 18 years now. He says he just started making wine, "and it got out of hand."
Alta Colina grows Rhône grapes on their estate, organically farmed. The grapes are not organic, because he has never gone for accreditation. Says Molly, "Organic is a philosophy, not a marketing tool."
The 2020 Alta Colina Grenache Blanc Estate Bottled is all white Grenache, a 50/50 blend of tank- and barrel-fermented Grenache Blanc. The wine has a pale yellow tint and a nose of citrus and minerals - akin to the smell of a wet sidewalk. On the palate are pear, honeydew and peach flavors delivered with a full mouthfeel and a fresh and lively acidity. Pairing suggestions include manchego cheese and paella, although it is so versatile that you can let your imagination run wild.
The 2019 Alta Colina Claudia Cuvée Marsanne is also a varietal wine. Bob says it was named after his mother, who was a big fan of white wines. Claudia Cuvée was aged in oak for 16 months. It's a blend of all four white Rhône varieties that they grow, Marsanne leading the way for Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier. Molly says she focused on the texture of the wine while making it. Try it with Alpine style cheese or lobster dishes.
Their 2018 GSM Grenache Blend boasts 73% Grenache grapes, 15% Mourvèdre and 12% Syrah. It's not an oak-forward wine - they say they let the grapes do the talking. It only had six months aging in oak, and another year in the bottle. It shows. This is a very fresh and fruit-forward wine, with ripe, red fruit in front. Molly explained that the Grenache drives the palate for the fruit experience, the Mourvedre is for earthy notes and Syrah takes care of the backbone. A creamy cheese, like Cambozola goes well with it, or wild mushrooms.
Alta Colina's 2018 Old 900 Syrah contains 96% Syrah grapes, with 2% splashes of Grenache and Viognier. Molly said that they do co-ferment with Viognier, but this wine was blended after the fact. Old 900 was the name of the Bomber Bob's father flew in WWII. The grapes came from a north facing vineyard plot, rather than the Toasted Slope vineyard plot, which is south facing. The color is very dark and the nose shows cassis, blackberry, blueberry, black pepper and a hint of bacon. The palate is delightfully earthy and the finish is lengthy and savory. Have some blue cheese on hand for this, or maybe braised short ribs.
The 6.3-ounce plastic cylinders stand about eight inches tall, have a diameter of only a little more than an inch and are topped with a screw cap. You could stuff a lot of those into a picnic basket or backpack. But it's not just the convenience and quantity that impresses - so does the quality.
Le Grand Verre's entire line consists of French wine from various wine regions, like Bordeaux, Languedoc, and Provence. The company says they curate the wines every step of the way to your glass, partnering with mostly female-led boutique estates which are organic and sustainable.
The tasting samples provided to me were made up of two reds, two rosés and a white wine.
Le Grand Verre Domaine Caylus Rosé 2020
This pink wine hails from the Pays d'Herault region of southern France, a part of the larger Languedoc-Roussillon region. LGV partnered with Inès Andrieu of Domaine de Caylus for this organic blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache. Andrieu took over the property from her grandfather, Henri Andrieu who was in charge since buying the property in 1963. The Domaine Caylus rosé carries alcohol at 12.5% abv and a price tag of $25 for a 4-pack.
The nose of this pale pink wine is loaded with strawberry and tropical notes. The mouthfeel is full and the palate is earthy. Flavors of apple, pineapple and ripe red cherry are a delight. The acidity is somewhat tame, but the sip is juicy and the finish is very long.
Le Grand Verre Château Val D’Arenc Rosé 2020
Bandol is generally considered to be the top Provence region for rosé, where the pinks are spicier, more structured and more flavorful than typical rosés thanks to the use of the Mourvédre grape. This one is a critic's darling, an organic-certified Provencal blend of 80% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache and 10% Cinsault.
The wine was produced by young, innovative winemaker Gérald Damidot, and under his leadership the estate converted to organic farming practices in 2015, bringing about an enhanced quality of the wine. Alcohol sits at 13.5% abv and the retail is $30 for a 4-pack.
This wine is a little richer in color than a Provençal rosé, approaching the red side of pink. The nose brings some watermelon into play with the berries and the citrus notes. The palate shows a healthy streak of grapefruit through the melon. Acidity is nice, and the finish is long. This is a great rosé to pair with seafood or salads, or both.
Le Grand Verre Domaine Nadal Hainaut Red 2019
Here is a gorgeous wine for the coming cooler weather this fall, but it takes a chill well, too - for those of us still stuck in summer. This somewhat rustic Cabernet Sauvignon is made with organic grapes from the Domaine Nadal Hainaut estate in the Côtes Catalanes region of the Pays d'Oc IGP, which covers most of the Languedoc-Roussillon area. The Château was built in 1826 and has belonged to the Nadal family since 1900. Martine and Jean-Marie are currently turning over the winemaking duties to their three daughters. This red wine's alcohol level is 13.5% abv and a 4-pack will set you back $25.
The nose and palate are both dominated by black and blue berries. Anise aromas make an appearance as well. The tannins are medium firm, while the acidity is quite refreshing.
Le Grand Verre Château Peyredon Red 2019
This LGV selection comes from the Haut-Médoc Crus Bourgeois. Laurence Dupuch of Château Peyredon Lagravette works with her husband Stephane Dupuch to produce this wine. The fruit was picked from vines over 100 years old. The blend was envisioned by world-famous oenologist Hubert de Bouard - winemaker and owner of Château Angelus, one of the four most prestigious Saint-Émilion estates.
This classic Bordeaux is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, with grapes that are sustainably farmed. Alcohol is a restrained 13% abv and an LGV 4-pack of the canisters costs $30.
On the nose are rich blackberry, cedar, vanilla and bacon grease aromas. The palate shows elegant dark fruit, very firm tannins and a playful acidity. This is a wine that wants a steak next to it.
Domaine Prataviera Sauvignon Blanc 2020
The Côtes de Gascogne region occupies France's far southwestern corner and is known primarily for the white wines produced there. The grapes which are allowed in the region read like a list of grapes you never heard of: Abouriou, Duras and Portugias bleu among the reds, Len de l'El, Ugni Blanc and both Mansengs - Petit and Gros - among the whites. Of course, there are also some grapes you have heard of - Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.
The grapes at Domaine Prataviera have been grown under the female hand since 1960 - that's when Elisabeth Prataviera's mom took over from her father. The Prataviera is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, has alcohol sitting low at 11% abv and sells for $20 in the 4-pack.
This SauvBlanc is lightly tinted and offers up a lovely nose of grapefruit and grass. The citrus/mineral element outweighs the herbal, so it does not come off like a fully New World wine. On the palate, the grapefruit really shines, with a full mouthfeel, an apricot note and a pretty good level of acidity. I don’t drink a lot of Sauvignon Blanc, but when I do, it's usually French, and this wine is a perfect example of why.
In a Zoom meeting to kick off the product, a couple of LGV bigwigs talked with a collection of wine writers. Nicolas Deffrennes (LGV Founder) spoke about how he started LGV, with an eye towards presenting fine French wines in a format that made it easy for people to sample. He also said that part of his innovation was to focus on female-owned and organic, sustainable wines. He estimated that within the next couple of years, the plastic containers will be made from organic, plant-based plastic.
Deffrennes then threw it to Régis Fanget (Brand and Artistic Director) who talked about the inspiration for the pretty little bottles - cosmetics. He said they wanted to present the wine in a physical manner that resembled the way perfume is sold.
Pauline Nadal (one of the daughters behind Le Grand Verre Domaine Nadal Hainaut Red 2019, a beautiful wine from Languedoc-Roussillon) spoke about all the animals they have on the property - sheep, swans, bees - and the importance of the animals being happy in the absence of chemicals, and the happiness of the vines themselves. They don't irrigate the vines - she says her grandfather maintained that watering the vines made them "lazy."
Head winemaker Ondine Chattan is a female veteran in a business which has been dominated by males. Her time in the California wine industry has seen her getting purple hands at Cline, Ridge Vineyards and for 18 years at Geyser Peak prior to joining Share A Splash. She is a California native who takes a hands-on approach to winemaking, educated at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Fresno State. She is proud of her spring releases, and she says they show the bright fruit flavors for which her home state is famous.
Angels & Cowboys Brut Rosé NV
This all-California sparkler is made in the traditional method of secondary fermentation, using traditional Champagne grapes - 73% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 2% Pinot Meunier. The fruit comes not, of course, from Burgundy but from Mendocino and Sonoma counties. The non-vintage bubbly is in it first release, with 2,500 cases made, at 12% abv and a retail price of $24.
This wine shows a light tint in the glass and offers a nose of apples, cherries and fresh bread. The palate comes on with a racy acidity, fine bubbles and an earthy take on raspberry and citrus. The wine's finish is lengthy and quite enjoyable.
This Grenache-based rosé was made in a traditional style called "œil de perdrix," meaning partridge's eye in French, a reference to the pale pink color of the dying bird's eye. It is more commonly called Vin Gris - grey wine - and is made with very little skin contact for a more delicate style and hue. Alcohol tips 12.5% abv and the retail sticker reads $16.
This wine is tinted a very pale pink in the glass, as one might expect from a rosé of Provence, not Sonoma. The nose presents a beautiful basket of ripe cherries and strawberries, with a smokey hint just above the glass. The acidity is nice and fresh, but not exactly razor-sharp. On the palate, the red fruit dominates, and gets a little help from a lightly tart citrus effect. The medium finish is pretty and fruity.
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Bonny Doon winemaking partner Randall Grahm said in an email blast that the year 2020 was an "annus horribilis" for most of us, and that includes winemakers. He notes that the "Biblical plagues of Smoke, Covid-19, Social Isolation and somewhat more prosaically, Business (and Life) Interruption" appear to be getting smaller in the rear-view mirror, which we hope is not just a trick of the light.
In the spirit of getting back to business, Graham and his new partners at WarRoom Ventures sent over a collection of their current releases for my opinions. Graham says that production winemaker Nicole Walsh "was very clever and proactive in dealing with any suspected smoke taint issues before they could eventuate. Skill, yes, but luck played a part, too."
Vin Gris de Cigare 2020
Bonny Doon's "pink wine of the earth" - Vin Gris de Cigare - is described by Grahm as a pink wine made from the lightest pressings of red grapes. However, the 2020 vintage has three red grapes and three white grapes in the mix. The blend is 71% Grenache, 11% Cinsaut, 5% Clairette Blanche, 5% Grenache Blanc, 4% Mourvedre and 4% Vermentino.
Graham says the mostly southern Rhône grape varieties came from cool-climate sites in California's Central Coast region, mainly Monterey County. Some 20,000 cases were made, with alcohol at 13.5% abv and a retail price of $15.
The beautiful salmon-colored wine displays a nose of cherry, red currant and an herbal hint of spearmint. The palate has a zippy acidity - Grahm says zippier than in previous vintages - and an abundance of red fruit, a citrus peel angle and a touch of tanginess. Salads and seafood, sure, but even better if you’re having them on the deck and can afford to have a few more glasses after lunch.
This is the second vintage of Bonny Doon's flagship wine since the varietal makeup was jiggled around by Grahm. He lost the Mourvèdre and increased the Cinsault, leaving a recipe of 56% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 13% Syrah and 1% Petite Sirah. Grahm says, "This wine is a bit more restrained than the '18 Cigare and one that might easily confound. Initially, quite reticent and seemingly light in body, the wine grows dramatically in volume and in depth with air and time. Most remarkable is the seamless fusion between fruit and stone, evoking the mysterious synergy one finds in certain Old World wines we so greatly esteem. Originally inspired by the Rhône Valley, Grahm says the wine now seems to reflect Burgundy. Production was 7,700 cases and alcohol hits 13.5% abv, while the retail price is $15.
This 2019 vintage of Bonny Doon's long-running flagship wine is medium garnet in color and tint, but it smells much darker. Aromas of black cherry, licorice, tea and a bit of earth pave the way for a palate which is fruit-driven, yet minerally-blessed. The acidity is refreshing and the tannins are gentle.
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Kevin and Paula Jussila are on a wine odyssey which began nearly two decades ago in a small backyard vineyard in Southern California. The Paso chapter of their story started in 2004 with the beginnings of kukkula wine - KOO-kuh-luh - the lack of capitalization is their choice. Their name means "the high place" in Finnish.
Kevin's father was from Finland and the man left a lasting impression on his son, who reveres his dad, his birthplace and all things Finnish. Paula says she is kukkula's co-owner and the winemaker's wife, but thinks of herself more as an enabler… enabling Kevin's dreams.
The kukkula estate is organic and dry farmed, which the Jussilas feel will allow them to "create wines of intense aromatics, flavors, and color, that are a true expression of place, and the essence of their terroir." They grow olives, too, and make olive oil and a delicious wine jelly in addition to their wines. They have no distribution in the United States - their sales are mostly club-driven. They are distributed in Finland, however, where the brand is highly respected.
The 2017 kukkula Aatto is made from the estate's specialty - Rhône grape varieties. It contains 45% Counoise, 35% Mourvèdre and 20% Grenache grapes. Counoise, in France, is typically used more sparingly as a minor component in a blend. Its lead role in Aatto gives the wine a stylish, highly perfumed presence. Aatto sports alcohol at 15.4% abv and it retails for $55.
The 2017 Aatto has a medium-dark garnet color with a slight brownish tint. It pours up looking older than its four years. The nose carries a strongly perfumed floral note as its banner - lilacs and oleanders come to mind. Beneath that, dark fruit - currant, blackberry, plum - rise above the flowerbed. Sweet spice - vanilla and cinnamon - play a minor role. On the palate, it is a youthful show of the fruit that demands attention. Tannins are firm and finely honed, and the acidity provides a lip-smacking delight. This is a wine I would like to have with a pork chop or rosemary ham, but it could also handle beefy dishes.
The 2017 Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Reserve was made from a blend of Grenache grapes - from their Grand Prébois vineyard - Syrah - from their Vinsobres vineyard - and Mourvèdre. The wine was fermented and aged mainly in stainless steel, which gave it an incredibly fresh and youthful taste. Only a portion of the wine was aged in oak. Alcohol hits 14.1% abv and the retail price is around $10, a stupendous bargain.
This wine has a dark tint in the glass, foreshadowing a rich and deep nose and palate. It actually comes off fresher and brighter than expected, with aromas of cherry and earth and flavors to match. The wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel, so the profiles tend to be bright and focused. The finish is full of fruit, juicy and long.
Château des Bormettes has been a family business since 1920, back when the area was known more for its mines than its wines. The mining of lead ore and zinc ended in 1929, but the estate dates back five centuries. The vineyard is a mere half mile from the Mediterranean Sea, and it yields Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Rolle (Vermentino), Mourvèdre and Carignan grape varieties, all sustainably grown.
L’Argentière 2019 is a Côtes de Provence wine made from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino) grapes. It is aged on its lees in concrete tanks to give the wine a full, creamy mouthfeel. Alcohol hits 14.5% abv and the retail price settles in just under $20.
This wine's nose gives off minerals notes, aromas of red fruit and citrus. There is a floral hint, too. Red berries on the palate, with a nice acidity and creamy mouthfeel at the same time. This is a very fine rosé which will pair wonderfully with seafood or snacks.
Love by Léoube 2017 is a Côtes de Provence wine blended by Romain Ott for Love Wine, a wine merchant in Jersey in the Channel Islands. The store was founded by Chris Rogers - first as an e-commerce site, later as a brick-and-mortar outlet. Château Léoube is located in the commune of Bormes-les-Mimosas.
The rosé wine is made from Grenache and Cinsault grapes, pressed directly and fermented in stainless steel tanks. Alcohol hits a restrained 13% abv, and the retail price is about $15.
This wine looks beautiful in the glass - medium pink, leaning towards orange. The nose is fruity and laced with minerals. Big strawberry and cherry notes are abetted by lemon and orange peel. The palate is flinty and dry with a racy acidity and a long finish laced with citrus. Pair it with fish or chicken, or with turkey or ham.
The Bernard Magrez L'Excellence des Muraires 2019 is a great example of what you get when you seek out a Côtes de Provence rosé wine. Magrez is mainly known for his four grand cru châteaux in Bordeaux, but this pink wine comes from his estate in the south of France, Chateau Des Muraires.
Made from three grapes - 46% Grenache, 41% Rolle (Vermentino) and 13% Syrah - the wine was fermented in concrete and aged in huge oak barrels, on the lees. Alcohol sits at 14.5% abv - a little higher than a typical Provence rosé - and it retails for about $35.
This wine shows a very light color in the glass, sort of an onion skin shade. The nose offers minerality first, a flinty aroma with strawberry and cherry notes more subdued. The sip is beautiful, with minerals again leading the way and a fresh acidity that is softened by the creaminess of the lees.
The fruit came largely from Paso Robles' Westside Hills, but contributions were also made by Napa Valley, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Valley, Amador, Lodi and Marin County. Specific vineyard sites include Gravity Hills, Dusi Vineyard, Hastings Ranch, Paso Ono Vineyard, Terra Bella, Clevenger Ranch, Shadow Canyon, and Alta Colina.
The interesting label art wraps around the bottle and depicts what seems to be a variety of "going for broke" facial expressions in what is likely a coastal California Gold Rush scene.
Winemaker McPrice Myers says the de-stemmed grapes were fermented in stainless steel and small open-top bins with 20 days of skin contact. Aging took place over 12 months in mostly neutral French oak barrels. Alcohol is up there - 15.2% abv - and the retail price is $25.
The medium-dark wine smells of ripe, red fruit dotted with peppery, herbal notes. There are whiffs of vanilla, cedar and cigars as well. The palate shows the red berries plainly, along with a tongue-tingling acidity and toothy tannins. A lengthy decant is useful, if not required, before enjoying. Pair the wine with the red meat of your choice.
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