The summer is an ideal time to pull out your dry Roses. I prefer to enjoy them at cellar temperature. (58 degrees) You might like them even chilled a bit more. Either way, the best ones are a terrific option to consider on a hot summer day. Dry Roses are also perfect for the lighter foods you are likely to enjoy near the pool or on the beach. I have covered several options for you to consider. Most are well priced and affordable. So we will start with a 92 pointer from Tablas Creek. The 2013 “Dianthus” for $27 is made from 57% Mourvedre, 28% Grenache and 15% Counoise. It definitely was the one of the best dry Roses that I have covered in a while. On the palate, you will find it to be medium bodied, very nicely balanced and super polished. The flavor profile is a tasty mild mineral infused clementine and gentle strawberry blend with a splash of pilsner beer in the background. It finishes dry and its flavors fade away nicely. You will find this to be a terrific summer quaffer and would pair nicely with a grilled mahi-mahi sandwich.
The next two Roses were awarded 91 points. We will start with the Donelan 2013 Rose for $20. This gem is made from 70% Grenache, 16% Pinot Noir and 14% Syrah. In addition to being a very classy wine, this offering also wins the best looking bottle award. This Rose is medium bodied, balanced and very elegant. It displays tasty mild strawberry and gentle red cherry flavors with hints of oak and watermelon. It finishes dry and gracefully drifts away. If you are looking for a Rose wine that will impress someone, look no further. This one will do the trick. Serve it with light foods.
The 2013 Benovia “Rose of Pinot Noir” for $24 is very good. It opens with a faint red cherry and strawberry bouquet. I found it to be nicely balanced and very smooth. The flavor profile is a tasty mild tangerine with hints of red raspberry. I also detected some gentle minerality and spice mixed in as well. This Rose is very food friendly and like the “Dianthus” would pair well with grilled mahi-mahi.
The next four Roses all scored 90 points. We will start with the 2013 Left Coast Cellars “Rose of Pinot Noir” for $18. This very affordable wine is salmon colored and opens with a fragrant and appealing strawberry bouquet with hints of red cherry and a whiff of pilsner beer. I found it to be light to medium bodied and smooth as silk. It was very easy to quaff. Its flavor profile was a mild strawberry and gentle cherry blend with hints of minerality. Pour it at the beach with friends or serve it with a flaky white fish.
The next 90 point winner is the 2013 J Vineyards “Vin Gris” for $20. This gem is light pink colored and opens with an inviting mild strawberry and gentle wet stone bouquet. This offering is medium bodied and displays nice gentle acidity. It has tasty mild mineral infused and gentle strawberry flavors with hints of watermelon. It finishes dry and its flavors fade away nicely. This Rose is very food friendly and would pair well with many foods. I would pair it with chicken satay.
Blackbird consistently makes very good wines. Their 2013 “Arriviste” Rose from the Napa Valley is no exception and as it was very easy to enjoy. It is made from 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot & 20% Cabernet Franc. It displays tasty strawberry and mild mineral flavors with faint hints of raspberry. I found it to be food friendly. It would pair very well with grilled rainbow trout.
Our last 90 pointer is from Cakebread Cellars. Their 2013 “Vin de Porche” for $25 is made from 86% Pinot Noir with 14% Syrah mixed in. This offering is medium bodied, slightly acidic, lush and really fills your mouth. I enjoyed its mineral infused sweet ripe strawberry flavors with hints of green apple. This dry rose is rather food friendly and would pair well with fried calamari or popcorn shrimp.
Our only 89 pointer is from Andrew Murray. It is a true quaffer. His 2013 “Esperance Rose” for $20 opens with a pleasant strawberry and mild wet stone bouquet. It is medium bodied, slightly acidic and juicy. The flavor profile is a mild mineral infused red cherry with a hint of clementine. It finishes dry and very refreshing. I would serve it slightly chilled on very hot day. With food, I would choose broiled scallops.
The next set of Roses are our 88 pointers. These are all Very Good and some are really good values. We will do a quick description of each.
Charles Smith 2012 Rose “Charles & Charles” (Columbia Valley, WA) $12
This light pink dry rose is made mostly with Syrah. It is light bodied, balanced and savory. It displays mineral infused strawberry flavors with hints plum and Anjou pear. It’s dry and refreshing. Serve it chilled at the beach.
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2013 “Pinot Noir Dry Rose” (Finger Lakes, NY) $13
This Finger Lakes based Rose from Dr. Frank is made from Pinot Noir. It is slightly acidic and juicy. Its flavor profile is a tangy clementine and strawberry blend with notes of spice and nicely integrated minerality. I also picked up hints of maraschino cherry in the background. I would pair it with steamed mussels.
Las Rocas 2013 Rose “Calatayud” (Spain) $14
This dark pink Rose is made from 100% Grenache. It is light bodied, lively and crisp. Its flavor profile is a mild mineral infused strawberry with hints of red cherry and watermelon. It’s a perfect beach quaffer to be served chilled.
Kanonkop 2013 “Pinotage Rose” (Stellenbosch, South Africa) $15
This dark pink colored wine from South Africa is made from the Pinotage grape. It is medium bodied and easy going. It displays mild mineral infused gentle strawberry flavors with hints of red raspberry. Serve it slightly chilled with bacon wrapped scallops.
Navarro 2013 Rose “Mendocino” (California) $18
This light salmon colored wine is medium bodied and mouthwatering. It displays mineral infused strawberry flavors with hints of red apple and cherry. This is a very nice quaffer for your party on the beach this summer.
Dry Creek Vineyard 2013 Rose “Petite Zin” (Dry Creek, CA) $19
This dark strawberry colored wine is made from Zinfandel and Petite Sirah and is very unique. It is slightly acidic and mouthwatering. Its flavor profile is a mineral infused red raspberry and red plum blend with hints of watermelon. This quaffer should be served slightly chilled with bacon wrapped grilled shrimp.
Isabel Mondavi 2013 “Deep Rose” (Napa Valley, California) $20
This Rose is made from mostly Cabernet. It is light to medium bodied, balanced, and easy to drink. I enjoyed its gentle orange and strawberry flavors. It is food friendly. Serve it slightly chilled and with grilled mahi-mahi.
Handley 2013 “Pinot Noir Rose” (Anderson Valley, CA) $22
This dark pink colored wine made from Pinot Noir is light bodied, slightly acidic and has a round mouthfeel. Its flavor profile is a mineral infused strawberry with notes of watermelon. Perfect for salmon kabobs.
The final two are affordable Good Value Roses. Both received 86 point scores.
Barefoot NV “Refresh Perfectly Pink” (California) $8
This light pink colored wine actually has bubbles. It is light to medium bodied, balanced and pleasant. It is slightly sweet with mild red raspberry flavors and hints of cherry and gentle minerality. It’s refreshing!
Artadi 2013 “Artazuri Rosado” (Navarra, Spain) $11
This dark pink colored wine is crisp and displays refreshing acidity. It displays mild mineral infused strawberry flavors with notes of watermelon and a hint of red cherry. It is dry and refreshing. Serve chilled on the beach.