INTRODUCTION

 

A few weeks ago I published an introductory article to the 2016 rosés which contained  comments on the extraordinary quality of the vintage and links to other background rosé articles including why, when, and how to buy and drink rosés (to read that article click here). As I have always said, each year produces many great rosés.  But 2016 is likely to exceed any year I can remember in terms of the quality of the wines across the board. Exactly why this is, I do not know. But, what I do know is that now is the time to take advantage of all the wonderful 2016 rosés that are on the market. And, make no mistake, many of these wines are the best bargains in fine wine on the planet!

Below are notes on rosé wines selected from California, France and Spain.  Another 2016 Rosé article will follow soon with notes on more rosés primarily from France and a few other areas, but also including rosés from other countries such as Austria, Germany, and Italy. Included will be many old favorites that I buy each year as well as many new ones. And, this year I am taking longer to do my rosé tastings for one basic reason. That is to give me more time to enjoy and drink the wines. I typically taste each wine several times accompanied by food. And, this year I am so impressed with the quality of the 2016s that I am tasting and drinking more rosés than ever! My advice to you is to do the same. After all, this is a very special time of the year with very special wines. And, when you get my rosé articles look for wines that you might have missed. Cheers!

CALIFORNIA

In recent years California dry rosé has come out of the shadows. For years rosé from California meant White Zinfandel which is an inexpensive insipid sweet wine that bears no resemblance to great dry rosés. Now in each year there are more and more dry rosés made in California. And increasingly there are a lot of really good ones including the ones below which also includes the best California rosé I have ever tasted.

2016 Bedrock Wine Company Ode to Lulu California Old Vine Rosé Wine
Consistently this is one of the very best rosés made in California. The Bedrock Wine Company owner and winemaker, Morgan Twain-Peterson, makes the wine to pay homage to Lulu Peyraud of Domaine Tempier fame. Domaine Tempier is, year in and year out, one of the very best rosés in the world. The fruit for this Ode to Lulu rosé is sourced from California old vine Mediterranean grape varieties such as Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Grenache from grapes grown on old vines planted between 1888 and 1922.
Light salmon pink in color with a golden hue and golden edge the wine has a lovely floral perfume with hints of peach and citrus and a faint hint of fresh herbs. With very supple peach tinged fruit it is beautifully balanced with floral nuances and has a bright underlying citrus crispness. Once again this is an absolutely delicious California rosé. This Ode to Lulu is certainly a great tribute and speaks wonders about the potential of  California Rosé – Outstanding Plus.      $19.95  

2016 Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare
Owner winemaker Randall Grahm is making some wonderful balanced and food friendly wines that are very attractively priced (to read my article on Bonny Doon click here). Also, Bonny Doon, Ridge, and a group of  6 Lodi wineries known as The Lodi Native (to read about them click here and to visit their website and learn even more click http://www.lodinative.com) are the only California wineries listing ingredients on the label (to read my articles about ingredient labeling on California wines and why it is important click here).
This rosé is a blend of Rhone varietals – 49% Grenache, 15% Grenache Blanc, 13% Mouvèdre, 12% Carignane, 4% Cinsault, and 3% Roussanne. Very light pink in color with a golden edge the wine has a gorgeous floral perfume with tinges of spice and fresh herbs. On the palate it has lovely very pure fruit with subtle hints of berries and cherries with floral, spice, and herbal nuances. Complex and beautifully balanced this California Rosé is delicious and a real value – Outstanding.     $15.99      Best Buy

2016 Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Rosé Paso Robles
The production of this wine is 3000 cases and it is absolutely stunning. It exudes charm and finesse yet also has complexity and great flavor interest. Made with 73% Grenache, 17% Mouvèdre, 6% Counoise, and 4% Syrah it has a very light pink color with a golden hue and golden edge. The perfume is incredible with a myriad of floral nuances and a subtle exotic quality. On the palate, the fruit is very refined and shows faint hints of strawberry and guava with a citrus tinge and an intriguing underlying exotic floral nuance. Ever so easy to drink with a long lasting finish, in my book this represents the pinnacle for domestic rosé. Don’t miss it – Extraordinary.   $25

2016 Tablas Creek Vineyard Dianthus Adelaida District Paso Robles
The production of this wine is 900 cases.  It is made from 49% Mouvèdre, 37% Grenache, and 14% Counoise grapes taken from the oldest section of the French sourced vines at Tablas Creek and is named for the flowering plant with deep pink blossoms. It is light red in color with a pink hue and golden edge. With an intensely fruity perfume of strawberry and cherry, the wine is full and very flavorful with lots of strawberry tinged fruit accented by floral citrus nuances on the finish – Outstanding.     $30

2016 Toad Hollow Vineyards Eye of the Toad Dry Rosé of Pinot Noir Sonoma County
With an amusing name, this rosé is consistently very fine year in and year out and it is a good value. It is made mostly with grapes grown in the Carneros region of the Sonoma Valley. With a very light reddish pink color the wine has a lovely floral perfume with hints of raspberries. On the palate the wine is nicely balanced and has very pure fruit tinged with raspberry and lemon lime nuances. Very attractive with lots of appeal, this is lovely California food friendly rosé – Highly Recommended.     $14.99

FRANCE

France is the world leader in the production of rosés. Here you will find many of the greatest rosés as well as many great values. Increasingly French rosés are coming from more and more areas. However, the leading area by far for rosés is Provence. Provence not only  leads the world in the production of rosés, but also produces more great rosés than anywhere else in the world.

Beaujolais

In recent years we are seeing more rosés from Beaujolais and as you would expect the wines are defined by fruit, delicacy and finesse.

2016 Château Thivin Beaujolais Villages Rosé
This rosé is made from Gamay Noir a jus blanc grown on vines that are 5o years old. Pale pink in color with a faint golden hue and golden edge, it has a lovely perfume with hints of strawberry and raspberry showing a faint citrus tinge. Very elegant and subtle with strawberry and raspberry nuances, the wine is balanced with a nice crispness on the finish and is irresistibly delicious – Outstanding.      $20       Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant   Berkeley, CA

2016 Vissoux (Pierre-Marie Chermette) Beaujolais Rosé “Les Griottes”
Very light pink in color this rosé has a lovely floral perfume with hints of cherry. With lovely very pure fruit showing cherry tinges it is delicate yet with nice underlying flavors and a nice crispness on the finish. This rosé is all finesse and ever so easy to drink. Best enjoyed very well chilled with light and delicate foods – Outstanding.     $12.95     Best Buy     Imported by Weygandt-Metzler    Unionville, PA

Burgundy

Historically Burgundy has not produced very many rosé wines. Marsannay is the northern most village in Burgundy and only assumed village status is 1987. In Marsannay several producers do make Rosé. Marsannay Rosés are structured  and flavorful and capable of aging for a very long time (to read an article on old Marsannay Rosés click  here). However, outside of Marsannay, I have never come across another rosé from Burgundy until this year when I came across two. One from the negociant firm of Louis Jadot and another from White Burgundy producer Pierre Yves Colin which comes from the Hautes Cotes de Beaune.

2016 Louis Jadot Rosé Coteaux Bourguignons
This wine is made from a selection of grapes grown in the Burgundy region. I think the existence of such a wine today is attributable to the dramatic rise in demand for rosé wine. No doubt made in a relatively large quantity, this is a very nice rosé and a very good value. Pale salmon pink in color with a golden hue and golden edge the wine has a lovely perfume showing hints of strawberry. Very clean and crisp and very fruity with strawberry nuances it is delightful to drink and matches very well with a wide variety of lighter foods – Highly Recommended.        $9.99       Best Buy Imported by Kobrand Corporation    Purchase, NY

2016 Pierre Yves Colin Rosé de Pinot Noir Hautes Cotes de Beaune
Pierre Yves Colin Morey is one of the great young White Burgundy producers. In 2016 he decided to make this Pinot Noir rosé. The fruit comes from 55 year old Pinot Noir vines grown in the Hautes Cotes de Beaune in the village of Carmot-le-grand near Saint-Aubin. The total production is 600 cases.
Very pale salmon pink in color with a golden hue and a golden edge it has a subdued perfume with very faint hints of cherry with floral undertones. Very delicate and finesseful with faint floral berry tinges, this rosé is very light and very pure with a bright crispness on the finish – Highly Recommended.        $34.99       Imported by Skurnik Wines   New York, NY

Corsica

Corsica is a historic island with very old vineyards that have undergone a renaissance. In recent years the French island of Corsica has been producing some of the most refined and delicious rosés on the planet. Year in and year out they are some of my very favorite rosés. If you have not tried them now is the time!

2016 Clos Canarelli Rosé Figari
This rosé is made with 50% Sciaccarellu, 30% Niellucciu, and 20% Grenache. It is stunning. Very pale orange color with a golden hue and golden edge the wine has a great floral perfume that is tinged with apricot with a faint exotic nuance. On the palate it has lovely very pure fruit and is refined and elegant yet very flavorful. Subtle hints of apricot are intermingled with floral citrus tinges and the wine is impeccably balanced with a nice underlying crispness on the finish – Extraordinary.        $37           Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant   Berkeley, CA

2016 Domaine de Marquilani Rosé Gris de Pauline Vin de Corse
The Amalric family purchased this domaine in the 1950s and replanted the vineyards. This was some 20 years after the 200 year old domaine was destroyed by fire and abandoned. Importer Kermit Lynch says drinking the Domaine De Marquiliani rosés is like “drinking a cloud.” That’s quite an image and it gives you some idea of the delicacy of these wines. They are simply amazing.
This rosé is made with 50% Syrah, 40% Sciaccarellu, and 10% Vermentino grown on vines that are over 50 years old. With a very pale color with just a tinge of yellow and a very faint golden hue this rosé has a stunning floral perfume with subtle hints of spice and peach. Very elegant and beautifully balanced it exudes charm and finesse with lovely fruit suggesting peach and melon with a faint underlying citrus tinge. This is a really great rosé that is very distinctive and really delicious – Extraordinary.        $28      Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant   Berkeley, CA

 

2016 Domaine de Marquilani Rosé Gris de Marquiliani Vin de Corse
This wine is made with 90% Sciaccarellu and 10% Syrah. It has the palest color imaginable with only a blush of pink and a gorgeous melon tinged perfume with floral nuances. Very elegant and finesseful and beautifully balanced, the wine has complex flavors with suggestions of melon and peach intermingled with a very faint citrus spice. It is irresistibly delicious and a joy to drink – Extraordinary.        $28         Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant    Berkeley, CA

2016 Yves Leccica Patrimonio Rosé
This rosé is made with 80% Niellucciu and 20% Grenache  grapes harvested from vines averaging 20 years of age. It is light reddish pink in color with a golden hue and golden edge. The perfume is stunning and faintly exotic with tinges of cherry, watermelon, and raspberry. All finesse with subtle yet complex flavors of cherry and raspberry with a faint exotic floral nuance, the wine rolls across the palate and ends with a bright, crisp, citrus tinged finish. This is a really exquisite and delicious rosé. Don’t miss it – Extraordinary.   $28        Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant  Berkeley, CA

Languedoc–Roussillon

This area covers the Mediterranean coastline from the French border with Spain to Provence. With over 700,000 acres of vines it is the biggest wine producing region in the world. It accounts for over 1/3 of France’s total wine production and produces more wine that the entire United States. The area also produces lovely rosés. They are increasingly appearing here and generally they are very good values.

Corbières

Corbières is the largest appellation in the Langedoc-Roussillon covering some 33,000 acres and producing almost 50% of the region’s wine production. Red wine accounts for about 95% of the wine production of Corbières with Carignan being the most common grape variety. About 3 ½ % of production is rosé and 2% white making up the balance.

2016 Domaine De Fontsainte Gris De Gris Corbières
The first vineyards at this domaine were planted by the Romans and the same family has owned the domaine since the 17th century. This rosé is a blend of  50% Grenache Gris, 20% Grenache Noir, 20% Carignan, 5% Cinsault, 5% Mourvèdre. Gris de Gris is rosé made from red grapes with a greyish colored skin such as Grenache Gris and Cinsault.
Year in and year out this is a delicious rosé and it ages very well. It is consistently outstanding and is a great value. It is also a wine that I buy every year. And, if you have not yet tried this rosé, now is a good time to start. The 2016 is one of the very best vintages of this wine that I have ever tasted.
With a pale pink color showing faint golden hues and the faintest tinges of orange the wine has a great perfume with hints of rose petals and a very subtle underlying spiciness. With lots of finesse it has very pure delicious fruit with suggestions of strawberry followed by citrus undertones and is beautifully balanced and very flavorful – Outstanding Plus.        $14.95          Best Buy        Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant   Berkeley, CA

Côteaux du Languedoc

 
“Coteaux” means a hill covered by vines. The Greeks planted the first grapes here in 500 B.C. The Coteaux du Languedoc is a large wine area that is subdivided into 8 sub-appellations.

2016 Puech-Haut Saint-Saint Drézéry Tradition Rosé Côteaux du Languedoc

Pale pink in color with a golden hue this rosé has a lovely floral perfume with a tinge of spice. It is rounded and very elegant with subtle tinges of berry fruit and an underlying floral nuance followed by a nice crispness on the finish – Highly Recommended Plus. $14.95       Imported by European Cellars LLC   Charlotte, NC

Cotes Catalanes

The Cotes Catalanes is in the Roussillon region of Southern France about 30 miles north of Spain. This area was ceded to France in the mid 17^th century and is still known as “French Caladonia” today.

2016 Penya Rosé Cotes Catalan
Penya is the name of the wine cooperative in the village of Cases de Pene. This wine is made from 96% Grenache Noir and 4% Syrah.
It has a very light pink color and a lovely perfume with berry and cherry accented by a floral spice tinge. With gorgeous fruit the wine has cherry berry nuances with a very faint spiciness and is beautifully balanced with a nice crispness on the finish. Delicious and very easy to drink this is a great value to boot – Outstanding.     $12      BEST BUY     Imported by Hand Picked Selections   Warrentown, PA

 
2016 Le Cirque Rosé Cotes Catalans
This wine is named after an amphitheatre-shaped bowl of vines. It is made by the Les Vigerons de Tautavel Vingrau (VTV) cooperative in the village of Tautavel from grapes grown on 50 year old vines and consists of 40% Grenache Noir, 40% Mourvèdre, and 20% Syrah. Very light reddish pink in color with a golden hue this rosé has a floral perfume with hints of strawberry and a tinge of citrus. With lovely very pure fruit it has hints of strawberry with citrus tinges and a very faint floral spice nuance and a nice crispness on the finish. This is a really attractive and tasty rosé that is very well priced – Outstanding.     $14      BEST BUY     Imported by Hand Picked Selections   Warrentown, PA

Côtes de Roussillon

The Côtes de Roussillon extends from Corbières to the Pyrénées mountains and is one of the warmest regions in France.

2016 Famille Lafage Miraflors Rosé Côtes de Roussillon
Made from Grenache Gris grown on old vines and Mouvèdre this is a delicious rosé that is a great value. It has a very pale pink color with a golden hue and a golden edge and a lovely floral perfume with a tinge of peach and a faint spicy undertone. It is very delicate and finesseful and is soft and silky yet flavorful with subtle peach, melon, and berry fruit accented by floral nuances. The wine is beautifully balanced and exudes charm in a very easy to drink style and comes in a beautiful bottle at a very attractive price – Outstanding.     $11.95      Best Buy    Eric Solomon Selection Imported by European Cellars LLC   Charlotte, NC

Languedoc

The Languedoc is a general term for certain areas within the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France.

2016 Gèrard Bertrand Cotes des Roses Languedoc
Made with Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah this rosé has a very light  pink color with a golden hue and a lovely floral perfume with hints of  berry and peach. It is a very stylistic rosé with lots of fruit, flavor and finesse. Hints of berry fruit are accented by floral nuances and tinges of citrus and the wine is soft with a nice crispness on the finish – Outstanding.    $11.99     Best Buy    Imported by USA Wine West, LLC    Sausalito, CA

Minervois

Minervois is one of the oldest wine producing areas in the Languedoc. The wine history here dates back to pre-Roman times. Minervois takes its name from Minerve a village near the Mediterranean coast in the Southern French foothills.  The village is named after the Greek goddess Minerva and there are cave paintings here dating back more than 30,000 years. Minervois achieved AOC status in 1985 and covers some 11,000 acres.

2016 Chateau Donjon Rosé Minervois
This property has been in the Panis family for 500 years! The wine is made 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 30% Cinsault. It has a very light orange pink color with a golden edge and a lovely floral perfume with tinges of cherry and strawberry. With great balance and a lot of finesse this rosé is flavorful with subtle cherry and strawberry fruit accented by a hint of peach and a nice citrus tinge on the finish. This is a really delicious rosé that matches beautifully with a wine variety of foods from meats and fish to vegetables and pasta – Outstanding Plus.     $15      Best Buy      Imported by Hand Picked Selections   Warrentown, PA

Pays d’Oc

The Pays d’Oc territory stretches along the Mediterranean Sea through four departments in the Languedoc-Roussillon.

2016 Villa des Anges Old Vines Rosé Pays d’Oc
Villa des Anges is in Capestang and situated on the ruins of and ancient Roman villa. The wine is made from 100% old vines Cinsault. This 2016 rosé is simply stunning and a great buy. Very pale pink in color it has a gorgeous perfume with hints of peach and a faint exotic nuance. Loaded with fruit showing hints of peach and citrus with an underlying faintly exotic floral note the wine is flavorful and beautifully balanced yet maintains great finesse and a nice crispness on the finish – Outstanding Plus.        $12       Best Buy         Imported by Hand Picked Selections  Warrentown, PA

Pays D’Hérault

The Pays D’Hérault is the name for wines made in the Hérault area located on the Mediterranean coastline of the Languedoc-Roussillon.

2016 Moulin De Gassac Pays D’Hérault Rosé Guilhem
Made with 50% Syrah and 50% Carignane from 20 to 50 year old vines this is a great value in rosé. It has a pale salmon pink color with a golden hue and has a lovely floral perfume with a touch of citrus. Very elegant and balanced with lovely subtle berry fruit with a tinge of citrus this is a lovely rosé that is very easy to drink and easy on the budget – Highly Recommended Plus.     $8.95    Best Buy     Imported by Beaune Imports    Berkeley, CA

Pic Saint Loup

Pic Saint Loup is a commune of the Côteaux du Languedoc located just inland from Montpellier. In a very dry region, this commune has a particular microclimate with cool nights influenced by the mountain Pic Saint Loup. Pic Saint Loup is considered to be one of the best wine growing districts in the Languedoc.

2016 Ermitage Du Pic Saint Loup  Pic Saint Loup Languedoc Rosé
Pale orange in color with a golden hue and golden edge this wine has a lovely floral perfume with hints of cherry. Beautifully balanced with floral nuances and subtle hints of cherry and strawberry showing a faint citrus tinge this is a distinctive and flavorful rosé –
Outstanding.     $16       Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant   Berkeley, CA.

2016 Château de Lancyre Le Rosé Pic Saint Loup
This Château was originally built in the 1500’s on the ruins of a 12^th century fort. Records of winemaking here date back to 1550!
The wine is made with 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Cinsault. With a very light pink color and a golden edge this wine has a lovely floral perfume with hints of strawberry. Soft and elegant it is a really lovely rosé with subtle strawberry and peach nuances showing an underlying citrus. Beautifully balanced and very easy to drink this is a really delicious rosé – Outstanding Plus.      $18       Imported by Hand Picked Selections   Warrentown, PA.

Sable de Camargue

The Sable de Camargue is a very unique wine area. It is a coastal plain with sandy soils extending between water, reedbeds, dunes, and pine forests.  The sands do not contain clay or silt which makes the vines immune to phylloxera.

2016 Domaine Le Pive Gris (Rosé)
Domaine Le Pive is located in the wilderness of the Carmague national park. This wine is made with 30% Grenache Gris, 30% Grenache Noir, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc organic grapes. Very light salmon pink in color with a golden hue this rosé has a lovely floral perfume with a faint hint of strawberry. Elegant with lots of finesse and lovely very pure melon tinged fruit it has balance and flavor with a nice citrus tinge – Outstanding.     $16
Imported by Hand Picked Selections Warrentown, PA.

2016 Domaine Le Pive Vie de Boheme (Rosé)
This wine is made with 100% Grenache Gris organic grapes selected from the vineyards best parcels. It is pale salmon pink in color with a golden edge and has a really lovely perfume with hints of rose petals and a faint exotic spice nuance. Very elegant and finesseful with great balance and a silky texture offset by a nice citrus tinge this is a distinctive and delicious rosé – Outstanding Plus.      $27
Imported by Hand Picked Selections   Warrentown, PA.

Loire Valley

The Loire Valley wine region includes 87 appellations ranging from Muscadet along the Loire River near Nantes to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé near Orléans in north central France. Most of the production is centered in 8 areas with most of the production being white wine, some red wine, and a very small amount of rosé. The rosés that are most widely recognized are Sancerre (made from Pinot Noir grapes) and Chinon (made from Cabernet Franc grapes). But, there are increasingly numerous others being imported as well including terrific rosés from Bourgueil (Cabernet Franc) and Reuilly (Pinot Gris).

Chinon

The vineyards of Chinon surround the town on the banks of the Vienne river. Red and rosé wines are made from Cabernet Franc with the addition of up to 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon. The rosés can be enjoyed young or aged for several years.

2016 Charles Joquet Chinon Rosé
Made from Cabernet Franc grown on vines averaging 30 years of age this rosé is very consistent year to year and a perennial favorite that ages beautifully. Having said that, the 2016 is especially fine with an extra tinge of complexity and elegance. With a very light pink color showing a golden hue and golden edge the wine has a lovely floral citrus perfume with hints of raspberry. It has very pure fruit showing cherry and raspberry with floral notes and a tinge of citrus. Beautifully balanced with lots of charm, flavor, and finesse this is a delicious rosé that is very appealing now and will keep for many years into the future – Outstanding Plus.      $20      Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Berkeley, CA

Sancerre

Sancerre, located in the eastern part of the Loire Valley, is famously known for its great white wine which, for me, is the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world and one of my very favorite white wines. Also, there are some really lovely red wines based on the Pinot Noir grape which account for about 20% of the areas production. Still seemingly floating under the radar and made in relatively small quantities, are the great Pinot Noir based rosés which year in and year out are some of my favorite rosés. Typically they are in the range of 12% alcohol and are beautifully balanced. They are delicious young, but also age beautifully. They are great with a wide variety of foods and have a characteristic underlying crispness that accentuates their appeal.

2016 Claude et Florence Thomas Labaille Sancerre Rosé L’Authentique
Claude and Florence Thomas-Labaille produce Sancerre in the old style with minimal intervention in the wine making and careful care of the vineyards. Their holdings are among the best in Chavignol, with a large proportion of old vines in the very steep vineyards. And their Sancerres are consistently some of the best produced (to read more about their wines, other Sancerres, and food suggestions to go with Sancerre click here). They also make this consistently wonderful Sancerre Rosé which I am told is made from Pinot Noir press wine. But, as outstanding and consistent as this rosé has been in the past, this 2016 is the best I have yet tasted.
With a pale orange color showing a golden hue and golden edge the wine has a gorgeous perfume of strawberry and cherry with floral notes.  On the palate it has stunning fruit that is very pure and intense. Flavors of strawberry and cherry are intermingled with floral notes and a faint citrus accent. Luscious and mouth-filling the wine has gorgeous balance and a lasting finish with an underlying crispness. The combination of fruit, intensity, finesse, complexity, and depth is what makes this rosé so very special – Bravo! Don’t miss it – Extraordinary.       $21          Best Buy                 Louis/Dressner Selections   Imported by LDM Wines, Inc.,  New York, NY

2016 Domaine Paul Thomas Sancerre Rosé Chavignol
Very light salmon pink in color this rosé has a lovely floral perfume with berry nuances and faint hints of citrus and spice. On the palate the wine has lovely fruit with hints of  raspberry and strawberry accented by a faint floral undertone. With great elegance, balance, and flavor showing a nice underlying crispness on the finish, this is a delicious Sancerre Rosé to drink now or for many years into the future – Outstanding Plus.        $19.95        Imported by Langdon Shiverick    Los Angeles, CA

Savennières

Located on the north bank of the Loire River in the Anjou-Saumur subregion the predominant grape here is Chenin Blanc and only a small amount of rosé is produced.

2016 Thibaud Boudignon Rosé de Loire Savennières
This wine is made from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes harvested from vines that are nearly 40 years old. It is very light pink in color and has a gorgeous floral perfume with cherry nuances. With lovely very pure fruit tinged with cherry and raspberry the wine also exhibits a faint floral undertone. This is a beautifully balanced rosé with lots of charm and finesse – Outstanding.       $20.95        A Sacred Thirst/Thomas Calder Selection     Imported by Sacred Thirst Selections   Moraga, CA

Val De Loire

The Val De Loire is the name for the entire Loire Valley wine region.

2016 Domaine De L’ Anjardiére Eric Chevalier Grelleau Rosé Val De Loire
This domaine is located in Nantais not far from the Atlantic ocean in an area that was once ocean floor. This wine is made from the Grolleau grape which is a black grape grown in the Loire Valley that is primarily used to make rosé particularly in Anjou. Groulleau seems to be a good descriptor as it means crow in French!
This rosé has a light reddish color with a pink hue and a golden edge. It has a lovely cherry perfume with a floral citrus tinge. With lovely bright raspberry tinged fruit the wine has great purity with a nice underlying crispness. This is a really delicious rosé with a nice zestiness on the finish – Outstanding.       $14.95       Best Buy      Imported By Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant   Berkeley, CA

Provence

The area of Provence has a very long history of wine production. Some believe that early inhabitants may have used indigenous vines to produce wine before the arrival of the Greeks in 600 BC. The Romans came in 125 BC and by that time the wine produced there had a reputation of being of high quality. Since that time the region has been influenced by a wide range of people and cultures. The phylloxera epidemic reached the area at the end of the 19th century and devastated the vines. Later, the arrival of the railroad and the development of tourism on the French Riviera resulted in soaring production of rosé which was very compatible with the climate and the regional cuisine. And, so it is today. Rosé wine currently accounts for more than half of the production of wine in Provence where it is ideally suited to the climate and the food. In recent years sales of Provence Rosé in the United States have been growing rapidly. The reason is very simple. Provence produces more great Rosés that any other area in the world and most of it is consumed in France.

Bandol

Bandol is a wine area of less than 4000 acres centered around the Mediterranean coastal town of Bandol. This area has a unique microclimate next to the coast that is very warm and sunny and protected from the northern winds. Most of the production here is red wine which is mostly based on Mourvèdre. Bandol Rosés account for about a third of the areas production and are, for me, among the greatest rosés in the world. They are made from blends that are dominated by Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault. Delicious young they are also among the most age worthy of all rosé wines and continue to evolve over many years. Without question Bandol Rosés are consistently some of the best rosés made in the world.

2016 Bastide de la Ciselette Bandol Rosé
Bastide de la Ciselette was created in 2010 and consists of just under 30 acres of varied parcels in Bandol. This 2016 is lovely. With a pale salmon pink color showing a very faint golden orange hue and golden edge the wine has a deep floral perfume with hints of spice and fresh herbs with a floral nuance. It has lovely peach tinged fruit with herbal and floral undertones and a touch of spice. Soft and supple with a lot of finesse this is a lovely rosé with a lot of charm – Outstanding.         $23      Imported by Martine’s Wines Novato, CA

 
2016 Château de Pibarnon Bandol Rosé
This estate has been owned by the Comte Henri de Saint-Victor and family for the last 40 years. It is situated at the top of La Colline du Télégraphe in the northernmost part of Bandol in an amphitheater of vines near the Mediterranean Sea. This area receives some 300 days of sunshine per year and the vines here are over 40 years old. This rosé is made from 65% Mouvèdre and 35% Cinsault.  The wine has a very light reddish orange color with a golden edge and a deep perfume that is floral with an exotic nuance and shows hints of fresh herbs and citrus with a very subtle touch of spice tinged smokiness.  Rounded, full, and flavorful with hints of apricot and subtle floral undertones with faint hints of spice and fresh herbs, this is a lovely rosé with complexity and balance that is enjoyable now and will continue to evolve over many years – Outstanding Plus.        $26           Imported by Michael Skurnik Wines    New York, NY

2016  Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé
This rose is made with a very high percentage of Mouvèdre up to 75% along with Grenache and Cinsault. With a very light reddish pink color the wine has a lovely perfume with a faint spiciness, floral tinges, and berry nunaces. It is very flavorful with lots of fruit showing subtle hints of cherry and a touch of floral spice. Balanced with a nice underlying crispness, this is a lovely Bandol Rosé that will age gracefully for several years – Outstanding.     $20     Imported by Weygandt-Metzler    Unionville, PA

 
2016  Domaine Gros’ Nore’ Bandol Rosé
This estate consists of some 36 acres of vines over 35 years old. The vineyards are located only a few hundred yards from those of Domaine Tempier. The wine is made from 40% Mouvèdre, 40% Cinsault, and 20% Grenache. For many years Alain Pascal and his father sold their fruit to Domaine Ott and Chateau de Pibarnon. After his father’s death, Alain named the estate for his father, Honoré Gros Noré, which means Big Honoré with the name Honoré shortened to Noré. Honoré was a giant of a man and Pascal is cut from the same mold. The first wines were made here beginning with the 1997 vintage. Having said that, the Domaine has already established itself as one of the best and most consistent producers of Bandol Rosé.
Pale orange in color with a pink hue and a golden edge this rosé has a gorgeous perfume with a faint hint of mint, a floral undertone, and strawberry nuances. It has very pure strawberry tinged fruit with mint nuances and a floral citrus undertone. With great balance and flavor this is a rosé with obvious charm and complexity that is delicious now and will evolve over an extended period – Outstanding Plus.      $32      Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant    Berkeley, CA

2016  Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé
This property, which lies between Marseilles and Toulon on the hillside of a natural amphitheatre and runs down to the shore of the Mediterranean, has been owned by the Tempier family since 1834. They won their first gold medal in 1885 so they have a long track record of excellence. And, year in and year out for as long as I can remember this rosé is superb. It combines complexity with finesse and flavor in a way that defines the very best rosés. And, it ages very well and after a few years develops even more complexity. This is a wine I buy every year and during the year I often drink old ones. They drink beautifully young or old.
Made with 55% Mouvèdre, 25% Grenache, and 20% Cinsault grapes grown on vines that average over 20 years of age this rosé has a pale orange color with a golden hue and golden edge. A deep perfume shows floral nuances with tinges of apricot and fresh herbs and very faint spiciness. On the palate the wine is beautifully balanced and full and rounded. Complex in a very subtle way, it has hints of apricot with tinges of fresh herbs and spice with a faint floral citrus nuance. Long on the palate with a lingering aftertaste this is once again a stunning Bandol Rosé to drink now or for a very long time into the future – Extraordinary.       $39.99         Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant    Berkeley, CA

2016 Domaine de Terrebrune Bandol Rosé
This rosé is made from grapes grown on 12 year old vines. It consists of 50% Mouvèdre, 25% Grenache, and 25% Cinsault. Pale pink in color with a golden orange hue and a golden edge this rosé has a lovely floral tinged perfume with faint hints of strawberry and fresh herbs. Elegant and beautifully balanced it has a subtle mélange of flavors with floral, herbal, and citrus tinges offsetting the berry fruit and shows a lot of charm. Not to mention that this rosé is, in a word, delicious – Outstanding Plus.          $33        Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant    Berkeley, CA

 
2016 Domaine de la Tour du Bon Bandol Rosé
This domaine is located in the northwest portion of the appellation. The vines here average nearly 40 years of age. The blend of grapes can vary from year to year, but typically consists of 35% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 25% Mouvèdre, and 10% Clairette. With a very light orange pink color showing a golden edge the wine has a lovely floral perfume with hints of peach and a tinge of cherry and spice. Beautifully balanced with lots of finesse and fruit it is flavorful with floral berry nuances and a long faintly citrus tinged finish this is a really gorgeous Bandol Rosé – Outstanding Plus.        $32         Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant   Berkeley, CA

Coteaux d’Aix en Provence

The Coteaux d’Aix en Provence is the second largest appellation in Provence covering nearly 10,000 acres. About 85% of the wine production is rosé.
 
2016 Commanderie de la Bargemone Rosé Coteaux d’Aix en Provence
This commanderie was founded by the Templar knights in the 13^th century and has a long vinticultural  history. The wine is made with 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Rolle, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Counoise, and 5% Carignan. The vines average age is over 30 years. Year in and year out this is one of my very favorite rosés and this 2016 may be the best ever.
The wine has a pale salmon pink color with a golden hue and a great intense floral perfume with apricot and citrus tinges. With lots of flavor and intensity it has very pure fruit with hints of apricot and peach accented by floral spice nuances. This is a rosé that is impeccably balanced and is absolutely delicious to drink – Extraordinary.       $19       Best Buy       Imported by Handpicked Selections  Warrentown, PA

Côtes de Provence

The Côtes de Provence is the largest appellation in the Provence wine region. It covers roughly 50,000 acres with 85% of the production going into rosé. The grapes used for rosé are Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, and Tibouren. There are many Côtes de Provence Rosés available here although many more are available in France. Without question this area is responsible for more great rosés than anywhere else in the world. In recent years sales of Provence Rosés in the US have been soaring. Two major brands have been created – Miraval and Whispering Angel – that are in wide spread distribution and have become two of the most popular French Rosés on the market. Also, Costco, under its Kirkland Signature Brand, now has a bargain priced 2016 Côtes de Provence rosé.  But, there are also many other new Côtes de Provence rosés available now, with more coming in each year. So be adventuresome and try some new ones every year. I think you will be pleasantly surprised and well rewarded as I have been for many years.

 
2016 Caves D’Esclans Côtes de Provence Whispering Angel Rosé
Very light pink in color with a lovely peach tinged floral perfume this rosé is soft, supple, and harmonious. It is very easy to drink with subtle floral nuances and faint hints of melon and peach and is a fine accompaniment for a wide variety of lighter foods. It is in wide distribution and has become one of the most popular Provence rosés in the US market – Outstanding.        $21.95       Imported by Shaw-Ross International Importers Miramar, FL

2016 Domaine de l’Abbaye Clos Beylesse Rosé Côtes de Provence
Year in and year out this is one of the most delicious rosés imaginable. And, it comes in the really gorgeous blue bottle! Here is a history of the wine taken from my article written several years ago:
Today this property is owned by Franc Petit who acquired it some 45 years ago. Prior to that time it was owned by a Provencal family. The property originally belonged to the Cistercian monastery which was founded in 1098 at Citeaux in Burgundy. They expanded to Le Thoronet in Provence in the mid 12th century and built a monastery. They made wine and olive oil and produced their own food. This was intact until the late 18th century when the property was declared bankrupt and the property sold. The physical property was one of the first to be declared a historical monument and today is owned by the French government. The surrounding properties are privately owned.
The Domaine de l’Abbaye consists of over 80 acres. About 1/3 is vineyards and most of the remaining land is planted to olives. A small, historic vineyard called the Clos Beylesse consists of just under 20 acres. When Franc Petit acquired the property he began replanting the vineyards and orchards. Now in his 70s, he continues to do all the work with the assistance of a few helpers. Some 25 years ago he determined that the best grapes were coming from the Clos Beylesse which he had replanted. He therefore decided to make a wine exclusively from that plot. He chose the distinctive and beautiful cobalt blue bottle because of the proximity of the vineyard to the sea. And, although there are small amounts of two other rosés made from estate grown grapes, today most of the production comes from the Clos Beylesse which amounts to approximately 3500 cases a year. The grapes used consist of mostly Syrah and Grenache with some Cinsault.

This is rosé that I love and buy every year. It is always one of the most elegant and charming of all rosés. Absolutely delicious, this is yet another stunning Clos Beylesse.  The wine is very pale pink in color with a faint orange hue and has a great perfume with faint hints of citrus, peach, and strawberry and subtle exotic nuances. Soft and delicate with lots of finesse, yet flavorful with tinges of melon and peach and a faint exotic fruit quality it exudes charm. Impeccably balanced with a nice crispness on the finish this rosé is indeed very special – Extraordinary.      $25       Imported by Wine Emporium, Brooklyn, NY

  
2016 Domaine Ott Château De Selle Côtes de Provence Rosé Cru Classé
This is a great rosé from Domaines Ott which has a history dating back over 100 years. Today Domaines Ott is owned by Champagne Louis Roederer. Château De Selle is a historic site with some 360 acres of land about ½ of which is cultivated and is a designated Cru Classé Côtes de Provence. There are 14 wineries classified Cru Classé in the Côtes de Provence. This ranking was done in 1955. And, this area is one of only two areas in France where the classification is by wine estate. The other is Bordeaux where the classification was done a hundred years before in 1855.  All other classifications in France are by vineyard area, including Burgundy and Champagne. Unfortunately, most of the production of these Côtes de Provence Cru Classé wineries is consumed in France. However, a number of years ago we paid a visit to Provence and visited several wineries. It was a great time and we had many terrific wines. (Click here to read my article THREE CRU CLASSÉ LADIES OF THE COTES DE PROVENCE).
This Cru Classé Rosé is exquisite. It has a very pale color with a golden hue and a gorgeous perfume with hints of peach, melon, and citrus with floral spice nuances. With lots of flavor and vey pure fruit showing suggestions of peach and apricot with floral citrus undertones the wine is beautifully balanced and very expressive. It is a very special wine to savor and enjoy with a wide variety of foods – Extraordinary.       $44        Imported by Maisons Marques & Domaines      Oakland, CA

 
2016 Commanderie De Peyrassol Côtes de Provence Rosé
This estate has a history dating back to the middle ages. Here is what the US importer says about its history:
The name of the estate is the first indication of its long, illustrious past. Located in the heart of Provence, near routes traveled by Crusaders in the early Middle Ages, the Commanderie de Peyrassol was founded by the Knights of Templar who were dedicated to protecting the Crusaders en route to, and in, the Holy Land. The first recorded harvest took place in 1256 and winemaking has continued uninterrupted throughout the centuries. When the Templars were brought down in 1311 by the King of France, who was nervous of their power and jealous of their wealth, the Knights of Malta became the fortunate owners of the Commanderie. They remained in control, flawlessly maintaining the vineyards until the French Revolution, when it was taken over by the State.
The Rigord family purchased the estate in 1870; but, it was not until 1977 when Francoise Rigord, wife of Yves, decided to bottle and market the wines of the estate. Madame Rigord abandoned her successful career in public relations to study oenology and take on the responsibility of making all of Commanderie de Peyrassol’s wines. The first vintage bottled for sale to the public was1981.
This 2016 is really fine. It has a light salmon pink color and a lovely perfume with a faint strawberry tinge and floral undertones. Balanced and very flavorful, the wine has subtle notes of strawberry and citrus on the palate with a nice underlying citrus tinge. It also has depth and richness rendered in a style showing great style and finesse. Harmonious and delicious,  the history of this site is reflected beautifully in this rosé – Outstanding Plus.     $19.95       Imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant  New York, NY

2016 Kirkland Signature Côtes de Provence Rosé
Leave it to Costco to come up with a really good Côtes de Provence rosé at a rock bottom price. The wine is made with 30% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 20% Mouvèdre, 10% Tibouren, 10% Rolle, 5% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet. A blend of 7 grape varieties is in itself unusual for a Côtes de Provence rosé, but the real story is the price/quality relationship which is phenomenal. The wine has a pale pink color and a lovely peach and melon tinged perfume with a faint floral undertone. Elegant and finesseful with lovely citrus tinged fruit, the wine is bright and crisp and is really tasty at an unbeatable price – Highly Recommended Plus.         Best Buy           $8.99     

2016 Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé
This rosé debuted several years ago and has rapidly become one of the biggest selling premium priced rosés in the US. I first tasted the wine in the 2013 vintage. Here is what I said then:
Miraval is a new rosé that first appeared as a 2012 last year. It is a joint venture between the well known Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angela Jolie and Famille Perrin from grapes grown on the estate the couple owns in the Côtes de Provence. As might be expected, the 2012 was met with a deluge of enthusiasm with some hyping it to the point of calling it the greatest rosé in the world!  Well, after all, that’s Hollywood!!
The wine is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Rolle and, forgetting the hype, this 2013 is a lovely stylistic rosé…. Very easy to drink, there is no question that this is a terrific rosé – Outstanding.
And each year since the wine has been consistently Outstanding. It is available in wide distribution and this 2016 may be the best yet. It has a very pale golden pink color and a gorgeous perfume floral perfume with faint hints of peach. With great flavor, style, and finesse, the wine is harmonious and beautifully balanced with subtle floral and fruit nuances and a faint crispness on the finish – Outstanding Plus.     $19.95     Imported by Vineyard Brands  Birmingham, AL

             
2016 Ott BY.OTT Côtes de Provence Rosé
This is a new wine from the pioneer rosé producer Domaine Ott. Blended with 75% Grenache and 25% Cinsault from grapes grown on selected plots in the Côtes de Provence, it is pale salmon pink in color with a golden hue and has a lovely floral perfume with faint hints of citrus and peach. A lovely rosé with finesse and balance it has lovely peach tinged fruit and is expressive and refined with a nice underlying crispness on the finish – Outstanding.    $19.95     Imported by Maisons Marques & Domaines  Oakland, CA

Rhone Valley

The Rhone Valley wine history dates back to around 600 BC in the Northern Rhone where the two most important grape varieties are Syrah and Viognier. In the 13^th century vineyards in the Southern Rhone were cultivated and the red grape varieties include Grenache, Syrah, Mouvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault.                               

Collines Rhodaniennes

The Collines Rhodaniennes is an area that corresponds to the Northern Rhone Valley.

 
2016 Cave de Tain “Premiere Note” Rosé de Syrah Collines Rhodaniennes
Made from grapes grown on vines bordering the eastern side of “Cru” vineyards within the districts of Tain Hermitage, St Donat, and Tournon in the Northern Rhone Valley this rosé is fruit driven and flavorful. It has a very light salmon pink color with a golden edge and a lovely berry and cherry perfume with floral undertones and a hint of spice. It has very pure fruit and is rounded and balanced with a nice underlying crispness – Outstanding.         $16        Imported by Handpicked Selections       Warrentown, PA

Vin de France
Vin de France is the name used for the most basic quality tier of wines and also for wines that do not meet the appellation laws because the vineyards are outside of stated production areas or because the grape varities or vinification techniques do not conform to appellation laws.

 

2016 Pink Pegau Rosé Vin de France
This is an outstanding Vin de France wine. It is made from  grapes grown on vines averaging 35 to 60 years of age in Sorgues just south of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The wine is made from 80% Cinsault, 10% Grenache Rouge, and 10% Carignan. With a light reddish color this rosé has a lovely floral perfume with berry nuances. It brimming with fruit and shows a complex myriad of red fruit flavors. Balanced and very flavorful while still maintaining a nice finesse this is a delicious fruit driven rosé that is delicious and easy to drink – Outstanding Plus.        $21         Imported by Handpicked Selections   Warrentown, PA

Savoie
Savoie is an area located  in the French Alps.

2016 Les Rocailles Rosé de Savoie Vin de Savoie
This rosé is made with 100% Gamay. It is pale pink in color with a faint golden hue and has a lovely floral perfume with hints of cherry fruit. Rounded and supple with delicious floral cherry tinged flavors the wine is flavorful, yet elegant, and has a nice underlying crispness – Outstanding Plus.         $18          Imported by Handpicked Selections       Warrentown, PA

 SPAIN

In recent years more and more Spanish rosés have appeared on the market. The reason is very clear. Most are really good and many of them are great bargains. So be adventuresome. If you have not yet tried Spanish rosés now is the time.  This is a good place to start as these are some that I particularly like. But, don’t hesitate to try others as well. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

2016 Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina Rubentis Rosé
Just five minutes down the coast from San Sebastian, Ameztoi’s vineyards overlook the Atlantic Ocean. The Ameztoi family has been making wine here for seven generations, utilizing the indigenous Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza grapes.
Every year this rosé gets my award for having the most difficult to pronounce name and the most unusual grape varieties. That doesn’t change. And the style of the wine is unique – light, slightly spritzy, low in alcohol, and very consistent from year to year in style. But with a tinge more complexity, I find the 2016 to be especially appealing. Very light pink in color the wine has a lovely perfume with hints of watermelon and a faint floral spice nuance. It has lovely fruit with subtle hints of watermelon and raspberry and is light, very fresh, and crisp with a slight spritz. This is a really lovely quaffable rosé that is ever so easy to drink. It is especially good ice cold accompanied by a wide variety of lighter foods – Outstanding Plus.      $19.95       Imported by De Maison Selections, Inc.  Chapel Hill, NC

2016 Arrumaco Garnacha Rosé
I first tasted this wine from a BIB (bag in box) in the 2014 vintage (to read about the box and how good the wine is inside the box click here). I then wrote an article on the history and technology of BIB wine (to read that article click here). The bottom line on BIB is that if you want a wine at a very inexpensive price to keep in the refrigerator and drink over a period of weeks BIB is for you. That is with one caveat – make sure that the BIB wine is good! There are many BIB wines out there that are not so good. This Arrumaco Garnacha Rosé is exactly the same wine in both BIB and bottle. This 2016 is especially good. And at the price $9 per 750ml bottle or $30 per 3L BIB (the equivalent of $7.50 per 750ml bottle), it is simply a great buy!
Made from 100% Grenache grapes grown in Valencia, the wine is light pink in color with a faint orange hue and a golden edge and has a lovely floral berry perfume. Crisp and bright with lots of very pure berry fruit this rosé is delicious and very easy to drink and will complement a wide variety of foods. If you are looking for a bargain priced everyday drinking wine, this wine is for you – Highly Recommended Plus.  $9 or $30 per 3L BIB    BEST BUY     Imported by Hand Picked Selections  Warrenton, VA  

 
2016 Muga Rosé Rioja
Very light pink in color this rosé has a lovely perfume with floral berry tinges and a faintly exotic nuance. It has lovely fruit with faint hints of cherry showing a floral tinge and rounded and flavorful with a nice underlying crispness. The is a beautifully balanced stylistic rosé from the Rioja area of Spain and it is value priced – a win/win – Outstanding.    $13.95      BEST BUY     Imported by The Henry Wine Group Benecia, CA

 
2016 Raventos i Blanc La Rosa Rosé Vins de Terrer Penedes
This is a very attractive rosé that is made from an unusual variety of grapes – Garnatxa, Xarello, and Pinot Noir. It has a light pink color and a gorgeous floral perfume with an exotic tinge. Delicate, yet flavorful with cherry tinged fruit the wine is lush and rounded with a nice underlying crispness that carries through on the finish – Outstanding.     $14.95     Imported by Valkyrie Selections Healdsburg, CA

 
That’s it for now. But, stay tuned. There is more to come as I am tasting and drinking 2016 rosés nearly every day. If you are not already into the game, now is a good time to join me. Every year produces many wonderful rosés, but I find the 2016 rosés to be especially good!