Wild About Rosé, Chronicles of the 2011 Season, Part 2

We had a great week of rosé tasting and are working hard to find you the very best of the 2011 vintage.  Two standouts for the week were the 2011 Charles & Charles Syrah Rosé from Washington, and the 2011 Fabre Montmayou Rosé from Argentina, while the biggest disappointment was the Farnese Cerasuolo (due to an ordering error the 2009 vintage arrived instead of the 2011), which unfortunately was not an age worthy rosé...

So onto our two gems of the week...Jared Breaux showed up at our weekly tasting and social hour on Tuesday with a little beauty from Argentina, the Fabre Montmayou. Yet another Bordeaux producer who found a home in the mountains of Argentina, Hevré Joyaux Fabre makes this Malbec/Merlot blend with all estate grown, hand harvested fruit from vineyards at 3800 feet.  Bright strawberry and juicy red cherries, nicely balanced acidity and a dry finish, it screams for light fare from the grill.  At $13.50, you gotta try it!

Knowing my quest for the 2011's, David Sobiesk has been gushing about two wines he's been waiting for from the two Charles', Charles Smith of K Vintners (the guy that makes some of our Washington State favorites, Kung Fu Girl, Boom Boom, Velvet Devil, etc..) and his partner in crime Charles Bieler (Three Thieves).  Together they produce the Charles & Charles label and we've been anxiously awaiting their Syrah rosé.  Dave ran into the shop with it on Friday and I just couldn't pass up the watermelon jolly rancher nose all wrapped up in a palate of vibrant red fruit, mineral, spice and racy acid.  This is your perfect summer porch lounging, bayou sitting, picnic wine and we've got three cases coming in Monday or Tuesday.  We can't wait for you to try it, so we are featuring it in our Wednesday Nite Flites this week...We're still waiting for the Charles Bieler rosé from Provence, I'll keep you posted!

Gina Warren promises to bring the Librandi from Calabria later this week, so stay tuned, I'm doing quick Facebook posts when we try something we like.  And while my quest is focused on the fresh 2011's, don't discount some of the 2010's that are in the market and drinking beautifully like the 2010 Ferraton Cotes du Rhone Rosé, 2010 Puzelet KO Rosé and the 2010 Chateau d' Aqueria Tavel Rosé.


Salute!