Honest. I set out to design a flight of tasty, dry rosé from around the world. It was in my head all day yesterday as I was deciding on the final cut. But in my commitment to always pour the best available wines at different price points, in the end, they all turned out to be French. Oh well, bummer, eh? Not in my opinion. All of you that know me know that I’m a self confessed Francophile. True, I do love my French wines but I also love Nebbiolo in the form of Barolo and Barbaresco and German Riesling and Oregon Pinot etc. BUT, when it comes to rosé, French is the best (my opinion of course, but I’m right!). There is just nothing better than sitting on the back deck on a warm, late afternoon sipping a slightly pink, dry, floral and refreshing rosé from Provence. As they say, it just doesn’t get much better. At this point I usually talk about the different wines in the flight in order to prep you for what’s on tap. I’m going to try something different this week. I’ll discuss the wines under each listed wine below, individually. But let me just say this. We have never, ever, had so many interesting rosé’s in a single flight. From the tiny AOC of Touraine Noble Joué in the Loire Valley to an almost extinct varietal called Tibouren grown along the Mediterranean in Provence this is one stunning tasting of delicious, some would say, eclectic, dry rosé!
Sandy
Here we go. Pay attention. Oh, and by the way, it’s going to be 80!
The Lineup
2012 Domaine De Montmarin,”Les Oliviers”/ Cotes De Thongue $9
From a little sub section of the Languedoc in Southern France called the Cotes de Thongue, this is the classic blend of Grenache and Syrah from the area. Each and every vintage this is our “stacker” rosé and I guarantee you won’t find a better value.
2012 L’Hortus/ Coteaux De Languedoc $16
Similar to the above but a bit of a different blend including Mourvedre along with the Syrah and Grenache. The Mourved makes a big impact in that this wine is “big” by French standards. It still remains dry and refreshing but this I’d have with Salmon and the above with shellfish or sushi.
2012 Rousseau Freres/ Touraine Noble Joué/ Loire Valley $18
Here we have a unique terroir. The entire AOC is 70 acres with just six Domaines in total! Rosé is the only permitted wine and it must include the three Pinot varieties of the area; Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir (50%/ 35%/ 15%). As opposed to the dark color of the Hortus, this one is as pale as they come (my style). The absolute epitome of brightness and lift. As thirst quenching as they come!
2012 Andre Neveu, Sancerre Rosé “Le Grand Fricambault”/ Loire Valley $25
This one is a classic Loire rosé made from 100% Pinot Noir. As opposed to many Oregon Pinot rosé this one is very light in color and again, light on its feet. Neveu is a fantastic domaine and you’ll find his Sancerre Blanc on my shelf often (like now).
Simply a beautiful wine.
2010 Clos Cibonne, Tibouren “Cuvee Special de Vignettes/ Provence $30
Here we go. This is for you wine geeks out there and for people who just like to drink unusual and delicious wines. This domaine has been in the Roux family for a couple of hundred years but it was Andre Roux who, in 1930, decided to pull up the Mourvedre and plant Tibouren, a grape known for low yields and susceptibility of disease. Two things that many growers in the area want to avoid. But when grown properly the wine can be stunning and the best of all is this 80 year old vine cuvee called “Vignettes.” They make a regular cuvee of Tibouren from the 40 year old vines but this is their “luxury” wine. Nuff said!
Premium Pour ($4)
2011 Domaine Tempier, Bandol Rosé/ Provence $42
This is THE rosé that every other rosé in the world is compared to. Yep, it’s expensive. And yes it’s delicious. It’s not often that we pour a $42 rosé but if you’re into them you need to taste the benchmark and this is it! 50% Mourvedre, 28% Grenache, 20% Cinsault and 2% Carignan.
Sandy Thompson, Proprietor
Mt. Tabor Fine Wines
4316 SE Hawthorne Bl
Portland, Or. 97215
(503)235-4444
