Friday Sips

For this month's pink parade, I really wanted to offer a fun, mouthwatering, prototype Southern French Rosé that everyone can afford to drink and Villa des Anges is the choice. Made from 100% Cinsault from the Languedoc region, there is so much joy and liveliness to this number. Erupting aromas of ripe strawberry, melon and subtle herb aromas that lead into a zesty, crisp, yet fleshy texture that provides simple pleasure. Toss back this summer slammer on your porch, at a picnic, at the beach, in the hot tub or with grilled fish.

Ameztoi's Rubentis Rosé is the wine world's only performance enhancing drug!! What and where is Txakoli you ask? Txacoli is one of the world's tiniest and most picturesque regions. Grown in the Atlantic region of the Basque Country, Arbako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, and Getaraiko Txakolina are the Denominacions that are home to some of Spain's most unique and flavorful wines.

From the Getaraiko region overlooking San Sebastián, comes the Txakoli from Ameztoi. Ameztoi has achieved cult-like status, especially for this pink wine, and is widely regarded as the region's finest producer. From the estate's vineyards, one can see the Atlantic Ocean and the profound influence that it has on the grapes and the wines is nothing short of enormous. Made from the ever-popular (at least in this part of the Basque region) Hondarribi Zuri (50%) and Hondarribi Beltza (50%) grapes, at 10.5˚ alcohol, Ameztoi's Rubentis is a visceral pink wine experience, especially when served and drank from a porron (a.k.a. the Txakoli Bong)! Resoundingly fresh and shimmering, detailed and precise with perfumed crushed stone, seashore, cranberry, cherry-pit and lime-blossom scents that follow into an active, pleasing, bracing, vibrant, chalky and elevated mouth-feel. Truly a wine that will undoubtedly make anyone happy! Drink it now, drink it often, it is a marvelous accompaniment to sushi or other fresh seafood.

When Oregon wine virtuoso/antagonist John Paul told me that he was doing a Saignee Rose of Pinot Noir that harkened back to the likes of what Bruno Clair or Joseph Roty fashioned in Burgundy, I was sure he took a heroic dose of magic mushrooms. Seriously, back in 2011 when he mentioned that he would be doing his own interpretation and aging it in neutral barrel for 20 months it certainly intrigued me. After tasting last week, it positively wowed me.

Truth be told, the biggest dilemma we'll have with this masterful pink wine is how much we're going to hoard for ourselves before releasing it to our friends! Beautifully proportioned and ethereal aromas of smoked raspberry, rose petal, lemon, herbs and seemingly stony character carry over into a texture that has substance, elevation and plenty of burst all the way through the expansive finish. We can't wait for you to try it, but do come by early before it disappears.