ROSÉ, ROSÉ, ROSÉ, ROSÉ, & ROSÉ!

Spring has sprung. Summer has begun. It is time for refreshing wines, BBQ, salads and fireworks. As we head into this July 4th weekend, I've put together a roundup of tasting notes and thoughts on a handful of Rosé wines in the marketplace. Enjoy the official start of summer!

LA SCOLCA "Rosé Chiara" ROSATO - 2009

TASTING NOTES:

Orange-pink color with great rose petals, spicy strawberry and raspberry on the nose. Not sweet. Like a sugarless Jolly Rancher cherry candy on the palate.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

By far the best Rosé I tasted of the lot. Balanced with a great mouthfeel. Made from 95% Cortese and 5% Pinot Noir. Steel fermented in Piedmont, Italy. Retails for around $16.

EL COTO DE RIOJA ROSADO - 2009

TASTING NOTES:

Fire red-pink color. Strawberry and floral notes on the nose and palate. Subtle. From Rioja, Spain.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

83 PTS

Despite being made from bolder, bigger grapes (50% Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha), I found this wine to lack the fruit and power I had hoped for. The alcohol is present and the fruit is not. A fair effort but one that won't have you yearning for a second glass. Retails for $10.

HECHT & BANNIER Vin de Pays d' Oc Rosé - 2009

TASTING NOTES:

Bold pink-red color with flowers and raspberries on the nose. Spicy with strawberry/cherry upfront and a wonderfully distinct sour watermelon flavor on the mid-palate. Some light oak on the finish. From Languedoc-Roussillon, France. Made from 33% Syrah, 33% Cinsault and 33% Grenache.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

The sour watermelon really sold me on this wine. It stands out from all the other Rosé wines as unique. The structure and acidity here offers enough to pair well with grilled fish and veggies and whatever else you desire to char. Retails for about $12.

SANTI "Infinito" Rosé of Bardolino - 2009

TASTING NOTES:

Fantastic electric pink color with muted aromas of strawberries and cherries. Fresh, clean and refreshing. On the palate there are light berry flavors, a hint of sweetness. Straight forward.

From Veneto, Italy. Made from 65% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, and 5% Molinara.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

You will be tempted to drink this one like fruit juice because it is so balanced that you'll forget it is a wine. A very simple Rosé but it wonderfully executes its simplicity. Retails for $11.

JABOULET COTES DU RHONE "Parallele 45 Rosé" - 2009

TASTING NOTES:

Amber pink color with a sweet tart and white pepper nose. On the palate, it is extremely tangy, tart and acidic. Simple, and light. Made in France from 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault and 10% Syrah.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

80 PTS

Not a great effort. The acidity here completely over-powers the fruit. The alcohol shows through and this wine comes off as unbalanced. Retails for around $12.