Manissy 2021 Tavel Tête de Cuvée Rosé

(Retasted in June 2023, the wine is showing even better with gorgeous fruit and fabulous length!) Produced since 1915 this is the historic cuvée of Chateau de Manissy, retaining the ancient label and the ancient methods of production, now enhanced by Biodynamic farming. Similar in style to the Tavel 'Vintage" at Domane L'Anglore, the wine is a blend of Grenache, Clairette and Cinsault that undergoes a 24 to 48 hour maceration on the skins and then a cool fermentation with wild yeasts for about 2 weeks. The wine ages in old barrels for 9 to 12 months. This is a true Rosé of gastronomy that will drink beautifully for ten years or more.  Showing a slightly darker hue than the 2020 vintage, it exudes bright aromas of pomegranate, red flowers and spice with a silky, cool palate and a  light red wine feel,  with flavors of red currant, tart cherry and saline minerals. "Can live 10 to 20 years if well cellared, drink with melon & cured ham salad, grilled meats, magret de canard (duck breasts), veal meatballs, white meats, chicken breast, guinea fowl with mushrooms & chestnuts" says the estate, or just sip by itself on a summer evening...

Pibarnon 2021 Bandol Rosé

The 2021 Pibarnon Rosé is drinking gorgeously now and will improve even more over the next few years - grab some now as of course the price goes up for the 2022. 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. 

Bastide Blanche 2021 Bandol Rosé

(Arrives 6/13 last bottles!) Some of the most elegant rosés in the world come from the varied limestone terroirs of Bandol, along the Mediterranean, where Mourvedre is the primary cepage blended with Grenache and Cinsault. The wines often take 2 to 5 years or more to reach maturity, so we're happy to have the 2021 Bastide Blanche which is showing beautifully in 2023.  The estate farms with organic and biodynamic methods and makes a particularly delicious direct-press rosé, fermented with only wild yeasts. There is plenty of elegance and structure that you'd expect from a Bandol rosé, but it's still bright and full of energy - our colleague Mariko referred to it as a "happy Bandol," which is an apt description. The fruit is subtle but pretty and the minerality is sleek and stony, with great acidity that would make this a hit at any barbecue. It's an incredible value for a very serious rosé.

La Bernarde 2022 Côtes de Provence Rosé "Hauts du Luc"

The La Bernarde "Les Hauts du Luc" 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 $19.99 this a good value - pick-up a few cases for your spring/summer sipping!

Manissy (Florian André) 2022 IGP du Gard 'La Belle Etoile" Rosé

The grapes for the 2022 "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.

Raffault, Olga 2022 Chinon Rosé

The Olga Raffault Chinon is one-half rosé de saignée and one-half direct-press after a 12-hour maceration on the skins, with 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, perfectly balanced and a bit more ripe and sapid than the 2021.  Lovely bright pink color, hints of raspberry and strawberry fruit, very dry and refreshing on the palate, showing the ripeness of 2022 vintage, 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!

Martin, Pierre 2022 Sancerre Chavignol Rosé

(Arrives May 12) The grapes for Pierre Martin's 2022 Rosé are sourced from a small high-altitude parcel in Chavignol with shallow soils of iron-rich clay over the limestone. This is a vibrant and refreshing wine with very floral and citrusy aromas and beautiful, creamy Pinot fruit in this rather ripe vintage, also showing the particular mineral and saline flavors of Chavignol. Delicious!