Today, I’ve got three very good rosé wines for you to enjoy. And they’re all very different from each other. Refreshment and variety! 

These reviews are based on samples I received.

2017 Stewart Rosé, Sonoma Mountain 90 13.5% 750ml $28

This light, fresh rosé is predominantly Pinot Noir, but includes a soupçon of Pinot Gris. The grapes were picked at moderate brix and pressed after just three hours of skin contact, so the color is a very pretty, pale, salmon pink. The palate is medium-bodied and mouthwatering.

Aromatically, it’s a fine weave of peach, orange citrus pith, melon, floral notes with a single thread of bubble gum. Flavors are similar, with emphasis on the fruit. The finish is mineral with gently tart fruit.

The 2017 Stewart Rosé will drink very well on its own, but also pair with light appetizers and soft, young cheeses.

2017 Sidebar Rosé, Russian River Valley 91 13.0% 750ml $21

Another great value from Sidebar, this rosé is 100% Syrah from three esteemed vineyards in the Russian River Valley. It is a very well-balanced wine with plenty of color and palate presence, but subliminal alcohol. 

The color is peach jello, the aromas and flavors a blend of peach, mineral, and tart strawberry with an inscrutable tropical note. The palate is silky with lightly mouth-coating viscosity and acidity that dances on the tongue. 

The 2017 Sidebar Rosé is excellent on its own, but will work with a variety of lightly savory dishes, including medium-rare roast beef, sliced thinly and served cold. At just $21, it’s a case buy.

Please also see my reviews of the two 2016 Sidebar Sauvignon Blancs (current releases).

2017 Troon Vineyard Riesling Whole-Grape Ferment, Applegate Valley 91 11.5% 750ml screw cap $20

This wine is another screaming deal, but not reeeeally a rosé. It’s Riesling picked with brisk acidity and then treated more or less like a red wine, AKA an orange wine. Enough technical stuff… It’s a fresh, tasty wine with pale amber-orange color and you may want to drink it all day. 

The nose is attractive and fruit-driven, but not shouty. Look for aromas and flavors of apricot, dried tangerine peel, lemon, green tea, and mineral. The wine is light-bodied and juicy in the mouth. It has the kind of texture you might expect from a cool-climate Pinot Noir. 

The Troon Vineyard Riesling Whole-Grape Ferment has a point of view and doesn’t drink like typical white or rosé wines. The skin contact provides not only color, but tannins and additional flavors. The alcohol is also very low, just 11.5%. So, to me, it drinks more like a cider made from stone fruit than it does a conventional wine.

It’s delicious without food, but will also work with light foods, salads and cheese plates. Try it with goat cheese and dried apricots or with cold chicken.

As with cider, freshness is key. This wine will hold for a while in bottle—especially if you keep it cool—but won’t improve at all with age. 

Try a bottle. If you like it as much as I do, you’ll buy another case. Keep a bottle or two in the fridge at all times, and drink them liberally to slake your summer thirst.

Copyright Fred Swan 2018. All rights reserved.

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