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| label of Eric Kent's Rose |
Eric Kent Rosé 2013
Sonoma Coast, California
(less than 350 cases made)
45% Pinot Noir/ 55% Syrah
https://www.erickentwines.com/
$21.99
Even though Eric Kent's label was the most eye-catching, I enjoyed this wine the least. Maybe I had a bad bottle, but I found the alcohol so overwhelming that I couldn't taste anything on the palate. My friend MariLisa might disagree with me, she seemed to like this more than me, but hubby David and I both felt our tongues burning from alcohol overload! I would say that in researching Eric Kent for this blog, he seems like a really cool guy, dedicated to promoting interesting artists -- like Yellena James for this label, and they're a smallish operation. I would try his other wines for sure.
The color is bright clear red like cherry Kool-ade. It had some strawberries and cream on the nose, some sweet plum and spice, but truly I just smelled alcohol. On the palate, there was bitterness and tongue searing heat from alcohol. I got a hint of fruit and minerality before the burn.
I am always confused why a winemaker would want to marry Pinot Noir and Syrah. They don't seem compatible - the Syrah would seem to overpower a delicate Pinot Noir. Then again, I'm no winemaker.
Hendry Rosé 2013
Napa Valley, California
(less than 700 cases made)
Primitivo/ Cabernet Sauvignon/ Zinfandel (exact percentages not found)
http://www.hendrywines.com/current/rose13.html
$17.99
David and I visited Hendry last year when we were in California. We had a questionable time at the winery - the tour guide/tasting guide was a very technical person and not really a great people person. However, I really like this all-estate winery and their meticulous attention to detail Their label btw, is really classic, simple, and inviting.
Remember what we were saying about saigneé rosés? Well this is one of them, it's basically a by-product/ means to get a more concentrated red wine. I thought that the saigneés would not have as much integrity (and maybe they don't has as much longevity?) but this one was great. It's a spicy little blend of Zinfandel and Primitivo (related varietals) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Yes, we took this to karaoke with us, and it held up well to Elvis (see photo below) Neil Diamond, and Cher.Fresh and vibrant on the nose with notes of watermelon, plum, strawberry, and some almost oaky spice. The wine is close to bone dry, crisp and refreshing. There is still quite a bit of that fresh juicy fruit on the palate and a pleasing finish. Very good. If you see this - definitely pick up a bottle or order some on their website.
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| Greek Rose I had at Nerai in NYC |
Gaia, Agiorgitiko 14-18h Rosé 2013
Peloponnese, Greece
http://nerainyc.com/ and http://www.gaia-wines.gr/en/products/agiorgitiko-14-18-h
$15.99
I enjoyed a glass of this at Nerai in midtown NYC pre-karaoke. It's a chic Greek restaurant whose white stone walls make you feel like you could be if not in Mykonos then at least on vacation! All of my pictures I took were blurry, so sorry for the stock photo. This rosé was the most interesting one that I tried - and the cheapest!!
The grape here is Agiorgitiko, a fragrant grape that is the main red grape in Nemea (Peleponnese penninsula). This wine is named for the time it spends on the skins... somewhere between 14 and 18 hours. The color on this rosé was also quite dark, and deep pink/purple. The nose was extrememly fragrant in a unique way. along with the typical and enjoyable aromas of plum and cherry, there was also a distict herbal note of tarragon and rosemary. It was very intriquing. There was a slight bitterness on the palate, not unlike an amaro, followed by the fruit notes of the nose. Very cool, and quite a bargain for under $20. Support Greek wines!!!! They need our help, consumers.
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| Hendry Rose at Karaoke - Elvis in the background. |
