I literally just read four separate articles in four separate (real) publications about rosé today. While some industry experts still call this pink wine thing a fad, others argue that it’s here to stay. The thing is, rosé is a style of winemaking — not a wine. And like all things, there is always a chance that it can go out of style. This may be true — eventually. Right now winemakers are doing interesting things with their grapes — varying skin contact time, using lesser-known varietals, creating some blends that are down right “old-world” and others that are undeniably “new-world.” There are so many styles, enough to suit all kinds of palates. So, whether or not the style stays popular in the mass market, rosé wine, itself, isn’t going anywhere. I think. I also think that this Left Coast Cellars 2017 Estate Rosé is worth a sip…so let’s dive in, shall we?
About the Wine: The Left Coast Cellars 2017 Estate Rosé is made of 54% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, and 6% Pinot Blanc harvested from the Left Coast Cellars estate vineyards located in Oregon’s Willamette wine region. The wine was fermented in 100% neutral French oak and aged in 100% French oak barrels for 4 months.
13.4% ABV
Flavor Profile: Twist the cap off of the Left Coast Cellars 2017 Estate Rosé and breathe in strawberries, watermelon, and raisins. This rosé is a peachy-pink on the pour, settling into the glass with a hint of orange, and together recreates the image of a summer sunset. Initial aromas are similar to those sensed from the bottle, but add a bit of seaside salinity, lite floral aromatics, and a clear line of acidity riding through and through.
The palate of the Left Coast Cellars 2017 Estate Rosé is smooth, but for that line of acidity cutting through the center of the palate — it pierces, really — causing a bit of a textural sensation down the center line of the tongue, most notably during the long, lingering finish. Dominant flavors are of floral perfume, white raspberries, pomegranate, pink lemonade, herbs (undecipherable), and that kiss of ocean air.
Food Pairing: I love the Left Coast Cellars 2017 Estate Rosé. It’s light, refreshing, and not the fruit bomb that some wineries make out of their Pinot Noirs when delving into the rosé category. So my perfect pairing is my perfect meal — a classic Briscoe salmon salad. Perfectly grilled medium-rare salmon, with its innate oily texture is the perfect accompaniment to this almost textural pink wine. Meanwhile, my favorite salad companion to that salmon is one tossed with strawberry, basil, and balsamic sprinkled with a bit of feta. The strawberries, especially when immersed in that balsamic, will bring out the fruitier notes of the wine. The basil will bring out that herbaceous quality, offering relief to the menu as a whole. And the feta — with its dry-ish texture and funky attitude — is the perfect garnish to cut through any sweetness, oils, and, hey let’s face it, it just tastes good.
More Info: I received the Left Coast Cellars 2017 Estate Rosé as a sample for review. (Cheers Will!) Retail: $18. For more information about Left Coast Cellars, their wine, and to purchase wine directly, please visit the Left Coast Cellars website.
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