7/19/19 Pink Parade Tasting
Friday Sips Pink Parade Tasting
Today July 19 from 1:30 - 6:30
Today July 19 from 1:30 - 6:30
Remarks, Adjudications & Assertions from areas producing Dry Rosé outside of Provence.
2018 CALABRETTA ROSATO
TERRE SICILIANE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
TERRE SICILIANE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
One of the most exciting Dry Rosé wines that I have tasted this year is from the madman of Mt. Etna, Massimilano Calabretta. Slow Food’s Slow Wine guide describes Calabretta’s style as “a thousand miles away” from other Italian wine, but the gap might be better measured in time, since the estate seems stuck somewhere in the 19th century. This Rose is solely from the famed Calderara vineyard on Mt. Etna, made from 100% Nerello Mascalese and is made using the ancient ‘pista e mutta’ technique which involves immediate pressing without the skins and immediately transferred into tank. This results in one of the most individual and cool pink wines that I have experienced.
Calabretta’a Rosé is a real reflection not only of the Nerello Mascalese grape but also and most importantly, the volcanic soils from Etna. Aromatically expressive and gleaming from the glass, there is an abundance of strawberry, mineral and savory fennel notes. In the mouth, it is intense, elevated, super-succulent and inviting from start to finish. Pleasurable, but also very complex and no doubt that it'll drink well into next year; serve with grilled chicken, pork, halibut or toss a bunch down with a bunch of friends.
Calabretta’a Rosé is a real reflection not only of the Nerello Mascalese grape but also and most importantly, the volcanic soils from Etna. Aromatically expressive and gleaming from the glass, there is an abundance of strawberry, mineral and savory fennel notes. In the mouth, it is intense, elevated, super-succulent and inviting from start to finish. Pleasurable, but also very complex and no doubt that it'll drink well into next year; serve with grilled chicken, pork, halibut or toss a bunch down with a bunch of friends.
2018 CROWLEY PINOT NOIR ROSÉ
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
Many of you know my disdain for the majority of Oregon Pinot Noir Rosé and its inevitable boring tendencies. Recently I was enlightened (even if it was only from one producer) by Tyson Crowley’s Rosé. Tyson is one of the real good dudes in the Oregon wine biz having become well known for his true to form Pinots and Chardonnays so it shouldn’t have been too surprising that this would be this delicious.
Immediately when I sampled this, I did a double-look at the bottle just to make sure it was not from Sancerre or Burgundy! From a single block of Pinot Noir from Four Winds Vineyard, this pink wine seemingly flutters. Cool as a cucumber, well dressed and very much the charmer. Direct press gives an extra-level of intellect and mineral to the cherry-pit and lime fruit. Fully dry, tangy and tingling it is perfect for a vegetable plate, goat cheese or lighter shellfish dishes.
Immediately when I sampled this, I did a double-look at the bottle just to make sure it was not from Sancerre or Burgundy! From a single block of Pinot Noir from Four Winds Vineyard, this pink wine seemingly flutters. Cool as a cucumber, well dressed and very much the charmer. Direct press gives an extra-level of intellect and mineral to the cherry-pit and lime fruit. Fully dry, tangy and tingling it is perfect for a vegetable plate, goat cheese or lighter shellfish dishes.
2018 VALERIO NAVARRA ROSADO
'LE LEORIN'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
'LE LEORIN'
$13.99 BTL./$167.88 CASE
Another revelation this week is this wine from Northern Spain’s Navarra region that borders on the Pais Basque. Emilio Valerio makes an array of delicious red wines but this is the first foray that we have had into the pink wine. For several reasons, and aside from one Rioja Rose, we haven’t featured many of Spain’s versions in recent years. I had the chance at tasting this wine last week and became one of the inspirations for this week’s Friday Tasting.
Made with a blend of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Syrah, this pink wine bursts with smoke, mineral, raspberry, lemon, and Mediterranean herbs on the nose. In the mouth the flavor parade continues, with fresh and lively aspects. While this does have a good amount of briskness, it does have a roundness too it from the Syrah. Great by itself on a hot day, or even better with a plate of grilled sea scallops on a bed of arugula.
Made with a blend of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Syrah, this pink wine bursts with smoke, mineral, raspberry, lemon, and Mediterranean herbs on the nose. In the mouth the flavor parade continues, with fresh and lively aspects. While this does have a good amount of briskness, it does have a roundness too it from the Syrah. Great by itself on a hot day, or even better with a plate of grilled sea scallops on a bed of arugula.
