Rosé has become a year-round favorite, but guests still gravitate to the pink wine when spring rolls around. For our latest round of wine reviews, we asked our national panel of experts to rate rosés. Here are their picks.
As always, these selections include brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine’s retail price, which can vary from store to store and market to market. Unless noted otherwise, the price reflects a 750-ml. bottle. If you’re a beverage professional with a specialty in wine and you’re interested in participating in the panel, please contact managing editor Kyle Swartz at kswartz@epgmediallc.com or 763-383-4400 x2225.
FIVE STARS
(95) Antiquum Farm Rosé of Pinot Gris “Aurosa” (OR). Antiquum Farm
is one of the hottest rising stars of the Willamette Valley, and this wine shows why. It is a skin-contact pinot gris that is purpose-grown like a high- end pinot noir to make this intriguing rosé. Rich and layered, with great minerality and a long finish. One of Oregon’s best! ($30)
(94) The Hermit Crab (Australia). Viognier and marsanne blend seam- lessly in this creamy wine with lots of mineral and a bit of acid to carry it through. Delicate citrus and stone fruit work perfectly with any steamed shellfish and butter. ($16)
(94) Gai’a Estate 14-18h Rosé 2018 (Greece). From one of Greece’s top winemaker, this rosé of 100% agiorgi- tiko is a lovely intense pink in color, due to the 14 to 18 hours of maceration (hence the name, “14-18h”), before fermentation commences. Dry and bright, it pairs beautifully with spicy and savory foods. ($16)
(93) Mas Redonne Bandol Rosé 2018 (France). A truly elegant example, from one of the top rosé-producing appellations in the world, Provence. This Bandol provides lots of bright descriptors for this excellent example of what prosecco can be when it’s as well crafted as Villa Sandi has done here. Using grapes from some of the best vineyard sites in the region, this is a sparkling wine to celebrate any happy occasion. ($16)
(93) Herdade do Rocim Mariana Rosé 2018 (Portugal). Pale salmon color in the glass, this attractive combination of touriga nacional and aragonez showcases the supple, bright fruit and elegant texture of the wine. Exceptionally food-friendly, this rosé can be paired with any number of dishes. ($14.99)
(93) NV Villa Sandi il Fresco Brut Rosado Prosecco (Italy). Fresh, bright, clean and elegant: All accurate descriptors for this excellent example of what prosecco can be when it’s as well crafted as Villa Sandi has done here. Using grapes from some of the best vineyard sites in the region, this is a sparkling wine to celebrate any happy occasion. ($16)
(93) Turley Zinfandel Rosé 2018 (CA). A dead ringer for a fine, classic, dry French rosé. Small production. High in acid but low in alcohol. Crisp, clean and wonderful with shellfish. ($23.99)
(92) Mas de Gourgonnier Rosé 2018 (France). Certified organic from the house of Les Baux-de-Provence. Bright, clean wild strawberry with user-friendly minerality on the finish. Try it with some grilled salmon. ($18)
(92) William Rose Prohibition Rosé 2018 (OR). This delightfully lively rosé is a 50/50 blend of Oregon pinot gris and pinot noir. The wine is completely dry, with alluring peach, grapefruit and other citrus notes, as well as some added structure from the pinot noir. This should make both white- and red-wine drinkers happy. ($20)
(92) Chateau Saint-Pierre de Mejans 2017 (France). A lush blend of gre-nache and cinsault from this small family vineyard in Luberon; the winery is housed in a 14th-century chateau. Tastes of fresh berries and light peach. Perfect with a cheese and charcuterie plate. ($15.95)
(92) Long Meadow Ranch Rosé of Pinot Noir 2018 (CA). Tilting towards the lighter-pink portion of the rosé spectrum, the nose and palate focus on subtle berry fruit, with some spice and floral aspects. Bright and clean berry and stone fruit add to the complexity, as does the long finish. ($25)
(92) Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Rosé of Cabernet Franc (NY). This rosé version of cabernet franc accentuates the elegance and finesse of the grape-growing and winemaking processes. Clean, bright, tremendously food friendly, it’s a wonderfully supple and elegant wine. ($16.99)
(92) Scharffenberger Cellars NV Brut Rosé Excellence (CA). For almost 40 years, Scharffenberger Cellars has been providing some of the most con- sistently high-quality sparkling wines domestically produced. This outstanding rosé is another example in the long line of successful, delicious wines. Bright and clean, with elegant bubbles, it improves any meal, celebration or any occasion to enjoy a glass. ($22.99)
(92) Maryhill Winery Rosé of Sangiovese 2018 (WA). A beautiful pink in the glass, this sangiovese rosé is a lovely mixture of bright red fruit, floral notes and subtle spice. The wine is bright enough to pair with a wide variety of dishes, elevating the entire meal. ($17)
(92) 2017 Casa Ferreirinha Vinha Grande Rosé (Portugal). Produced exclusively from tourigal nacional, the Douro Valley’s most iconic grape variety. Lighter pink in appearance, the nose is dominated by discreet red fruit, with floral notes. Just as elegant on the palate, it is bright and focused, with an attractive, fine texture. ($19.99)
FOUR STARS
(91) NV Ninth Island Sparkling Rosé (Australia). Using the three traditional Champagne grape varieties, this beautiful sparkling wine from Australia is more than just a cost-effective alternative. It’s textured, with multiple layers of fruit and spice. An outstanding cool-weather sparkler. ($25)
(91) Bogle Rosé 2018 (CA). This light and crisp dry pink wine is a perfect sipper for a goat cheese salad or grilled shrimp. Balanced sweet strawberries and rose hips. ($12.99)
(91) Belle de Provence Rosé 2018 (France). An elegant rosé with aromas of berries and peaches. It has a mineral quality that adds depth to the berry fruit flavors and finishes with balanced acidity. ($17.99)
(91) Clos Pegase Rosé 2018 (CA). Produced from malbec, from the winery’s most iconic vineyard, the wine is a bright salmon pink. The nose and palate both offer plenty of refreshing bright red fruit, with floral hints. The acidity helps maintain the freshness, and lengthy finish. ($22)
(91) Susana Balbo Signature Rosé 2018 (Argentina). The combination of malbec and pinot noir helps create a multidimensional rosé with layers of aromas, flavors and complexity. Quite pale salmon in the glass, the nose and palate showcase the elegant and subtle red berry fruit. The wine’s balanced acidity, along with its texture and structure, make this one serious and delicious rosé. ($20)
(91) NV Ferrari Rosé (Italy). Lengthy aging during the secondary fermentation provides a complexity above and beyond the price point. Leaning towards a lighter salmon hue in the glass, the nose and palate share aspects of subtler fruit and floral hints, during the long and persistent finish. ($35.99)
(91) NV Segura Viudas Brut Rosé Cava (Spain). More of an orange-tinted color of pink in the glass. The nose and palate share aromas and tastes of graceful berry fruit, along with mouthwatering acidity. Wonderful with a wide variety of foods. ($12)
(91) NV Cremant d’Alsace Brut Rosé (France). If you prefer your pinot noir with a bit of graceful sparkle, this is the wine for you. With extended aging on the lees, the bubbles are fine and consistent. The nose and palate are highlighted by sweet red and berry fruit. ($25.99)
(90) Finca El Origen Malbec Rosé 2019 (Argentina). Malbec is Argentina’s iconic grape variety, and this rosé is an excellent example of how good it can be outside of the red-wine category. A brilliant pale pink in color, the nose and palate reveal plenty of lovely, delicate red berry fruit, a touch of spice, and acidity that contributes to the wine’s food-friendliness. ($13.99)
(90) DiamAndes Perlita Rosado 2019 (Argentina). With the assistance of famed consulting enologist Michel Rolland, DiamAndes is producing a wide range of great wines. This brilliant pale pink rosé is no exception. 100% malbec, it exhibits plenty of attractive, bright red and berry fruit aspects. A hint of spice adds to the complexity, and the acidity adds lift and focus. ($13.99)
(90) Joel Gott Rosé 2018 (CA). This perfectly complex and energetic rosé has that perfect balance of acidity and fruit. Hints of nectarine and peach with a refreshing pop of acidity are complemented with a satisfying finish. ($16.99)
(90) La Vielle Ferme Rosé 2018 (France). Great value for everyday drinking. Pale pink with delicate aromas of currant, cherry and a touch of citrus. Well-balanced fruit and acidity ($7.99)
(90) Huber Grüner Veltliner Terrassen Traisental 2017 (Austria). A beautiful example of this famed Austrian grape. White pepper, asparagus and citrus before a crisp finish. Try it with blanched asparagus wrapped in smoked salmon. ($19)
(89) Lioco “Indica” Rosé 2018 (CA). From a single Mendocino vineyard site of old-vine carignan planted in the 1940s. This rosé shows expressive aromas of grapefruit, lime candy and guava, followed by strawberry, melon and chalky flavors. ($19.99)
(89) Yes Way Rosé 2018 (France). A wonderfully light and fresh rosé, with gentle bright acidity and a clean finish. The elegance and fun of this wine make it a perfect cocktail wine. ($13.99)
(89) Olema Rosé Cotes De Provence 2019 (France). This impressive, light-bodied wine is very fresh, with slight strawberry and citrus aromas. The palate is laced with stone fruit notes, zippy minerality and a crisp, refreshing finish. ($16.99)
(89) Guy Mousset Cotes du Rhone Rosé 2019 (France). A savory, fruit-forward balanced Rhone wine with white flower, raspberry and peach throughout the nose and palate. While red fruit notes are the focus, the underlying zesty mineral-driven backbone holds the wine together. ($13.99)
(89) Domaine Loubejac Rosé 2019 (Oregon). Lots of floral notes on the nose mixed with strong cherry and raspberry notes on the palate. This elegant rosé shows its complexity with nice acidity balancing out the fruit and floral notes. ($14.99)
(89) Chateau Fabregues Costieres de Nimes 2019 (France). Pure red rasp- berry and light cherry flavors abound in this plush, revitalizing rosé. While richly textured, it’s also delightfully fresh and a complex standout in the sea of rosé. ($14.99)
(88) Dune Gris de Gris Sable de Camargue 2019 (France).
White peach, raspberry, and a hint of grapefruit are all over this wine. Crisp and light with a beautiful texture and rich fruit notes make this approachable rosé strike a great balance between fruity and fresh. ($9.
(88) Canned Oregon Pink Rosé (OR). This is not the first Oregon rosé in
a can, but one of the best so far. Canned Oregon is a project of famed Willamette Valley producer Stoller Vineyards. Candied watermelon on the nose, carried by solid fruit and good acidity. A very easy-drinking dry rosé for whenever the mood strikes you. ($4.99 per 375-ml. can)
(88) Jean Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé (France). Composed of roughly two-thirds syrah and a third mourvedre. From a sunny site with cool nights. Clean, fresh and aromatic, with aromas and flavors of white peach; watermelon-finessed. ($18.99)
(86) Direder Rosé of Zweigelt 2018 (Austria). A rosé with light body and low octane, showing green tones of asparagus and rhubarb, with lime pith flavors. ($17.99)
RATING SYSTEM
Five stars (92-100 points)
A top-flight wine. Superior in taste and character and providing an outstanding price/value relationship.
Four stars (86-91 points)
A superb wine and an excellent value. A wine for which customers will keep coming back.
Three stars (80-85 points)
An above-average wine at a reasonable price point, one that many consumers will enjoy. Fruit and good texture, as well as a long, sustained finish. ($38.99)
