Great rosé is being made all over the world, but we want to shine the spotlight on the West Coast of the U.S. for some unique bottles. Explore Rhône-style blends using a mix of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre as well as Cinsault. Also look for single-varietal bottlings of Pinot Noir that have been turning heads in both California and Oregon. And, in Washington taste the exciting rosés being made from Cabernet Franc.
Grab a glass and start a West Coast rosé road trip.
California
Quivira 2016 Wine Creek Ranch Rosé (Dry Creek Valley); $22, 93 points. This Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre rosé is a stunning marriage of flavors and textures. Salmon in color, it invites with apricot, peach and Meyer lemon fruit, zesty acidity underlying its flavor, complexity and length. –Virginie Boone
Holly’s Hill 2016 Estate Rosé (El Dorado); $22, 91 points. This dry, lithe and almost athletic Rhône-style wine made from 55% Grenache Noir and 45% Cinsault shows a different approach to rosé from the candy-sweet versions. It’s a perfect pour for lunch or a pre-dinner drink and has the acidity and body to pair with cedar planked salmon or even beef tri-tip. It’s that good. Editors’ Choice. –Jim Gordon
Lawer 2016 Estate Vineyard Rosé of Syrah (Knights Valley); $24, 91 points. Perfumed and floral, crisp and modulated in acidity, this is an exuberant expression of the variety. Ample acidiy and cherry and orange flavors unfold on the palate, followed by a brisk finish that’s laced in spicy nuance. –V.B.
Waxwing 2016 Blair Vineyard Rose of Pinot Noir (Arroyo Seco); $23, 91 points. Pale pink in the glass, this Pinot Noir-based rosé combines nectarine and watermelon aromas with a citrus spray and rose petal quality that provides both depth and tang on the nose. There is a good charge of acidity on the palate, as well as a grippy texture, while light stone fruit, mandarin orange and lime flavors prove quite mellow yet delicious. –Matt Kettmann
Robert Renzoni 2016 Lyric Rose of Syrah (Temecula Valley); $28, 89 points. This is a very mineral-driven pink wine, with aromas of wet rocks, chalk and even steel giving way to the slightest hints of orange and strawberry. The flavors are very delicate and refreshing on the palate, with melon and red pear, rounded out by a key lime acidity. –M.K.
Oregon
Child’s Play 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley); $28, 90 points. A nice debut from this new label under the Tendril umbrella. Intense in color and deep in flavor, this pure varietal rosé pushes forward raspberry and cherry fruit with plenty of juicy pizzazz. The back end revs up with a burst of citrus rind. –Paul Gregutt
A to Z 2016 Rosé (Oregon); $15, 89 points. This full-flavored rosé is principally Sangiovese. Packed with fresh flavors of strawberry, raspberry and cherry, it carries a touch of orange Creamsicle into the smooth finish. It’s delicious and detailed and belongs at the top of your list of must-have summer rosés. –P.G.
Scott Cellars 2016 Dry Grenache Rosé (Rogue Valley); $19, 89 points. A copper rose hue, this has a strong phenolic grip and a burst of heat at the finish. There’s good texture, with wild strawberry and a push toward cherry-fruit flavor, with a wash of citrusy acid. –P.G.
Washington State
Waters 2016 Patina Vineyard Rosé (Walla Walla Valley); $22, 92 points. This rare single-vineyard rosé is all Syrah. Pale peach in color, it brings aromas of blood orange and strawberry that are followed by a textured lively palate with an extended finish. It’s one of the best rosés the state has produced to date. –Sean P. Sullivan
Seven Hills 2016 Dry Rosé of Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley); $18, 90 points. This light-peach-colored wine brings appealing aromas of peppery spice, watermelon, citrus and herb. The flavors are dry and broad in feel, with a pleasing lick of acidity that keeps the interest high. –S.S.
Sleight of Hand 2016 Magician’s Assistant Blackrock Vineyard Rosé of Cabernet Franc (Yakima Valley); $18, 89 points. A rare single-vineyard rosé, this wine is rose gold in color. It offers aromas of fresh herb, citrus peel and strawberry. The palate is dry, bright and focused with lively citrus flavors that extend on the finish. –S.S.
Published: July 17, 2017
