Biodynamic farming at Domaine de Sulauze

Mid-May Rosé Report, Featuring 2021 Dom. de Sulauze "Pomponnette!" (Taste them this Saturday, 5/21, 1:00 - 4:00pm!)

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With temperatures rising into the 80s this weekend in NY, Rosé season has definitely arrived! We're happy to feature some new arrivals from the 2021 vintage as well as a great selection of our favorite 2020s that willl drink beautifully all summer. Come on down to the store this Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00pm as we taste a quartet of refreshing rosés - we'll have the AC turned up and the wines on ice!

It's our 12th vintage of the delicious and refreshing Domaine de Sulauze Coteaux d'Aix Pomponnette Rosé! As with the Baudry Chinon, the wine's popularity means we get less and less every year - so here is our first whopping 10 case allocation - grab some today to enjoy all summer, and next summer too!

New Arrivals:

Olga Raffault 2021 Chinon Rosé; Stein 2021 Mosel Rosé Trocken; Bassermann-Jordan 2021 Pfalz La Vie Rosé Trocken; Bedrock 2021 California Ode to Lulu Rosé; Les Fouques 2020 Cote de Provence Cuvée l'Aubigue Rosé; Chateau de Manissy 2020 Tavel "Cuvée des Lys" Rosé; Florian André/Ch Manissy "La Belle Etoile" Rosé, and many more....

All wines arrive by Tuesday 5/24

Here's the Sulauze story, courtesy of our friends at Polaner Selections: "Karina and Guillaume Lefèvre are two of the loveliest and warm-spirited people you would ever encounter. They met hiking across the island of Corsica and it was Coup de Foudre, "love at first sight." Karina had travelled to France from her native country of Brazil, but after meeting Marseille-born Guillaume, she made a home with him in Southern France. Their family has grown to four with the addition of their son and daughter. 

Horsepower at Sulauze

With help from the government and a small amount of savings, Guillaume and Karina purchased Domaine de Sulauze in 2004, which was comprised of 29 hectares of vineyards, a few stone buildings and a stone barn where a wine cooperative once operated. Together they began converting the entire estate to first organic and then biodynamic viticulture and polycultural farming, which includes wheat fields (for bread), barley (for beer), olive trees (for olive oil) and an extensive vegetable garden to feed their family and employees. Today the entire domaine is Demeter certified Biodynamic and a good portion is worked by animal traction.

Karina and Guillaume grow the classic red and white varieties of the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence appellation including Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Rolle, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Ugni Blanc, all planted in sandy, limestone-centric soils with many shells. The domaine takes its name "Sulauze" from a soil-type known as Lauze, which is a flaky limestone with excellent drainage that protects vines from temperature variations.

The family's annual production of 15,000 cases is comprised of 50% red wine, 40% rosé, and 10% white wine. They are intent on authentically expressing their terroirs and thus adhere to traditional vinification methods and intervene as little as possible in the cellar. All wines are fermented with their native yeasts, little or no sulfur is used (and only volcanic sulfur at that), and no fining or filtration is done. Guillaume is a leader in the region's natural wine movement, and he is constantly experimenting, so the cellar is dotted with barrels of skin-macerated wines, zero sulfur foudres, and more. That said, purity and deliciousness are the main objectives!"

No Longer Available

Sulauze 2021 Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Pomponette Rosé

(Arrives Tuesday 5/24) Domaine de Sulauze was purchased by an ambitious wife and husband team who converted all of the farming first to organic and then to biodynamics, and endeavor to use as little sulfur as possible while maintaining clean, classic wines. The name of the Domaine comes from the flaky limestone soil, aka Lauze, of their vineyards which give the vines excellent drainage. This year's rosé is approximately 60% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Vermentino, 15% Cinsault, and 5% Mourvèdre. Upon opening this wine is lean and racy with notes of crunchy green strawberry, watermelon, and ranier cherries, really showing the Vermentino, and after coming up in temperature develops riper notes of orange oil, juicy strawberry, peach and a bit of salty minerality, with a nice kick of firm acidity in the finish, making it a great acccompaniment to light summer meals. A lively, refreshing rosé from the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence and a perennial favorite!

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $22.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Raffault, Olga 2021 Chinon Rosé

The Olga Raffault Chinon is a rosé de saignée, after a 12-hour maceration on the skins, followed by a slow low-tempreature fermentation with wild yeasts. The grapes come from gravel soils which brings a bit more density of fruit to the wine which is elegant and perfectly balanced in 2021 Lovely bright pink color, hints of raspberry and strawberry fruit, very dry and balanced on the palate with a bit of peach and red berries in the finish with crisp saline acidity. "Particulièrement gouleyant" it says on the label and we couldn't agree more!

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $21.99

  • Organic

Pibarnon 2020 Bandol Rosé

The 2020 Pibarnon Rosé is drinking gorgeously now and will improve even more over the next few years - grab some now as the 2021 will be $41.99... This wine has a wonderful ability to combine elegance, power, class, and distinction. A blend of Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Grenache, the wine shows peach-y and stone fruit notes on the nose, mingling with the savory earth and iodine character of good Bandol Rosé. The palate offers silky textures, a certain voluptuousness, and a lovely balance of acidity to full ripe fruit. 

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $36.99

  • Organic

Les Fouques 2020 Côtes de Provence Cuvée l'Aubigue Rosé

The Cuvée "L'Aubigue" is a beautifully supple and fruit-driven rosé made from 48% Cinsault, 34% Grenache, 11% Syrah, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Vermentino. The wine shows a beautiful salmon color and offers complex aromas of peach skins, wild flowers, brown spice, and grapefruit pith. The palate is round and refreshing with a dense mineral core. Flavors of peach, strawberry, and nectarine coalesce over cool herbal notes akin to licorice. The finish is suave and awash with citrus and stone. A wonderfully versatile wine, this is lovely to sip by itself and will be a seriously delicious pairing with salads, full-flavored fish dishes, chicken and grilled pork all summer and all year...

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $17.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic

Manissy 2020 Tavel Cuvée des Lys Rose

Tavel, the deliciously complex Grenache-based rosé famously espoused by AJ Liebling, is well suited for the table as well as a light quaff on the patio. A darker pink than your typical salmon-hued wines of Southern France with a palate to match, Tavel, if you'll forgive the idea, is a more "serious" rosé. The organically farmed Manissy 'Cuvée des Lys' is dark-fruited with ripe plum and garrigue on the nose, with the spicy warmth of sun-kissed Grenache on the medium-bodied palate followed by a hint of pleasing tannic bitterness on the finish. Despite it's more serious nature, the Manissy Tavel remains refreshing and easy drinking but the savory richness makes it a rosé especially suited for grilled meats, big flavors like tapenade, and sheep's milk cheeses on a late summer night.

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $19.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Manissy (Florian André) 2020 IGP du Gard 'La Belle Etoile" Rosé

The grapes for the 2020 Chateau de Manissy "Belle Etoile" originate from organically certified vineyards owned by Ch. de Manissy wine-maker Florian André's mother. Covering an area of 1.5ha, this site is bathed by the sun and swept by the mistral on a flat plain that is rich in limestone with a clay subsoil. Entirely hand-harvested grapes, 50% Cinsault and 50% Grenache, that have a cold maceration before being pressed. Low temperature fermentation with indigenous yeasts, aged in stainless steel tank. The high percentage of Cinsault brings freshness and delicacy to the wine, with hints of raspberry and stone fruits, orange peel and melon that linger on the balanced, refreshing palate. Great by itself or served with salads, goat cheeses and light summer meals.

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $10.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur

Mourgues du Gres 2020 Costieres de Nimes "Les Galets" Rosé

The 2020 Mourgues du Gres "Les Galets" Rosé is made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grown in vineyards of rolled stones, as in Tavel, deposited by glaciers from the Alps. The estate has been organic since 2004, with sheep grazing the vineyards and cover crops to ensure soil health and bio-diversity. This lovely wine is drinking beautifully showing ripe cherry, wild strawberry, red currant, citrus and mint aromas - quite ripe but elegant and pretty. The palate is fresh and mineral with beautifully ripe berry fruits, very supple and round but with good acidity and a refreshing finish. Perfect with grilled tuna, salade Nicoise, grilled chicken and pork, enjoy through summer 2023. An absolutely sensationlnal value at $11.99!

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $11.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur

La Bernarde 2020 Côtes de Provence Rosé "Hauts du Luc"

We've just retasted the 2020 La Bernarde Rosé (April 12, 2022) and we're happy to say that it's just as delicious as it was last year! It's a very dry and refreshing blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvedre, Rolle (Vermentino) and Syrah. Certified organic and fermented with wild yeasts, the grapes are grown in a high-altitude vineyard on limestone with clay and stones. The Cinsault is very present in the subtle aromas of peach and raspberry with citrus, spice and floral hints. The palate is light, with a silky texture and firm mineral flavors underlying the fresh red fruit, peach and citrus flavors. This is a lovely and versatile wine that will be a delicious aperitif or accompaniment to fish, white meats and lighter grilled foods. At $12.99 this a great bargain - pick-up a few cases for your spring/summer sipping!

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $11.99

  • Organic

Bagnol 2020 Cassis Rosé

We love rosés from Cassis - a great location and terroir for wine despite the chic little town and hordes of tourists! In a vineyard dating back to the 13th century, situated a few hundred metres from the Mediterranean, the Domaine du Bagnol produces one of the most elegant of rosés. Part Grenache, giving structure and weight and part Cinsault, giving delicate red fruit and spice aromas, this pale salmon-colored wine is a refreshing treat!

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $28.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur

Bastide Blanche 2020 Bandol Rosé (Arrives 5/20)

 (Arrives Friday 5/20) A reserved Bandol rosè, primarily Mourvedre with Cinsault, Grenache, Clairette and Ugni Blanc. The Mourvedre is pressed and run off directly, the Cinsault and Grenache undergo 24 hours of skin contact. Certified organic grapes from the Bronzo family vineyard in Le Castellet.  The 2020 has a coppery, salmon-colored robe. The nose, initially backward, offers an array of stone fruit and savoy herb notes, with garrigue and ripe peach aromas vying for attention with aeration. The palate offers peach skin, orange oil, and earthy flavors leading to a long, persistent, sapid finish. This  will benefit from a decant or some time open - drink now and over the next three to five years.

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $26.99

  • Organic

Charvin 2020 Cotes-du-Rhone Rosé

(Wow, still available and shouild be delicious in 2023!) The gorgeous Charvin Rosé is from a 1.5 ha parcel of about 50% Grenache, 50% Cinsault, sometimes with some Bourboulenc and Mourvèdre that averages just 35hL/ha annually.  Organically farmed and entirely harvested by hand with sorting done in the vineyard. The 2020 rosé shows a pale pink color and lovely aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, rose and peach skin. The palate is silky and mineral with subtle raspberry and cherry fruit with stone and citrus flavors, quite long and elegant and finishing with refreshing acidity. This is drinking beautifully and will be a great companion to seafood, chicken and grilled meats this summer and all year round. Lovely wine!

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $15.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur

Bedrock 2021 California Ode to Lulu Rose

(Arrives 5/27) Bedrock Wine Company's Ode to Lulu Old Vine Rosé is a tribute to Lulu Peyraud, matriarch of the famed Bandol grower Domaine Tempier. It is comprised of old-vine Mataro/Mourvèdre from the Pato and Evangelho vineyards in Contra Costa County, as well as Cinsault and Grenache from Dry Creek. The rose is a pale peach skin/salmon pink. The nose offers pretty aromas of stone fruit, watermelon, and crushed savory herbs. The palate is juicy and mouthwatering with loads of fresh red fruits and a fine sapid core that recalls its famed inspiration Bandol Rosé, don't be fooled into thinking this is a "porch pounder," this will accompany that ripe tomato salad, tapenade crostini, ratatouille, or paella cooked over a fire, as well a quench a thirst. Lovely stuff and consistently one of our favorite Summer wines. John McIlwain

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $25.99

  • Organic

Stein 2021 Mosel Rosé Trocken

Pale salmon robe. Fresh and luminous on the palate with wild strawberry, cranberry, shiso leaf on the nose. The lightweight palate (bantamweight?) offers bright hedge fruit and pomegranate flavors with an impossibly stony core. How can something so light carry some much mineral tang? Each sip is a geology lesson. This one is for all you rockers! Highly recommended from both a refreshment and  compelling minerality standpoint.  John McIlwain // Tech notes from VomBoden website: From steep slate soils; direct press and saignée; Pinot Noir with approximately 20% Cabernet and Merlot; élevage (aging) all stainless.

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $22.99

  • Organic

Basserman-Jordan 2021 Pfalz La Vie Rosé Trocken

(Arrives 5/24) A selection of Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet from the Pfalz. This jaunty and vibrant "rosé de macercation" boasts a pale ruby robe with high-toned aromatics and a zesty wild berry palate. 

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $24.99

  • Organic