It’s peak winter. The time of year when you want to cozy up with a blanket near a fire and pour yourself a glass of…rosé? Yes, rosé. With apologies to big, warming reds, nothing sticks a fork into the stereotype of pink wine as a summertime drink more than enjoying it in the depths of the darkest season.
As 2017 vintage rosés start showing up on your radar, this is also a great time to remind you that many 2016 bottlings are still a delicious drink. You’re also more likely to get a great deal on these wines, as retailers try and make more room to stock their new arrivals.
Having a potluck dinner? Leftovers? A bag of chips? Do not discount the versatility of rosé to pair with everything from salty snacks, substantial soups and seasonal suppers.
Here are 10 rosés to consider now and, really, every month of the year.
Recommended Winter Rosé
Benton-Lane 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé (Willamette Valley); $18, 91 points. A lovely sunset rose shade, this delightful wine is spicy and loaded with orange peel and clove highlights. Its pretty watermelon and strawberry fruit carries into a lush finish, with a full-flavored, highly satisfying mouthfeel. Editors’ Choice. —Paul Gregutt
Franz Keller 2016 vom Löss Rosé (Baden); $25, 90 points. Buoyant red cherry and raspberry flavors burst from the glass of this vibrant, crisply structured rosé. It’s forward and juicy but elegant and spry, finishing with a kiss of blossoms. Drink now. —Anna Lee C. Iijima
Domaine Vico 2016 Rosé (Corse); $20, 90 points. This domaine—situated at a higher altitude than most Corsican vineyards—produces wines with an extra zest of freshness. This bottling is crisp and tight yet has great swathes of red fruit and balanced acidity. Drink now. —Roger Voss
Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2016 Rosato (Etna); $22, 89 points. Aromas of Spanish broom, Mediterranean herb, orchard fruit and crushed stone come together on this vibrant rosato made entirely with Nerello Mascalese. The racy palate delivers red cherry, apple, citrus and mineral notes plus tangy acidity. —Kerin O’Keefe
Bulgariana 2016 Rosé (Thracian Valley); $12, 88 points. This brilliant pink rosé from Bulgaria has aromas of citrus blossom, strawberry, cherry and red raspberry. It has flavors of pomegranate, tart cherry and red raspberry before a crisp, fruit filled finish. Best Buy. —Jeff Jenssen
Santos & Seixo 2016 Santos da Casa Rosé (Douro); $15, 88 points. This dry rosé is soft and fruity. Red-berry fruit permeates a wine that also has a rich texture from lees aging giving the wine some weight. Its acidity balances all this, finishing the wine with crisp acidity. —Roger Voss
Birichino 2016 Vin Gris Rosé (California); $17, 87 points. Light strawberry aromas meet with pink lemon and tangerine rinds on the simple nose of this bottling. The palate shows pleasant touches of strawberry and lemon as well as a touch of peat and pine smoke, but is missing some acidic boost. —Matt Kettman
Yorba 2016 Shake Ridge Vineyards Rosado (Amador County); $28, 87 points. Quite pale and pink in color, this wine has more flavor and body than the color would suggest. It blends cherry and ripe pear notes on a smooth mouth-filling texture that clings to the palate and extends the finish. —Jim Gordon
Educated Guess 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir (Napa Valley); $15, 87 points. This is a dry, light and easy going wine, made entirely from Pinot Noir. The palate is refreshing in its firm grasp of cherry and raspberry flavors. —Virginie Boone
Jezreel 2016 Dry Rosé (Israel); $20, 87 points. This salmon-colored wine has a bouquet of pear, rose petal and lime zest. It is a little tart at first sip, but is ultimately well balanced and refreshing, with flavors of strawberry, peach and rose that lead to a lime sorbet finish. —Mike DeSimone
Published: January 20, 2018
