Hey, Larry, I’m catching up on my reviews! To all you other wine nerds out there, if you’ve not yet had a Mourvédre rosé, this is the one to start with…
About the Wine: According to winemaker Larry Schaffer, this 100% Mourvédre rosé was harvested a little later than usual, as the 2018 season was “slow,” with milder weather and a ‘normal’ crop load. Grapes were picked early in the morning and delivered to the winery by 7am, where they were foot stomped in 1/2 ton bins by Mr. Schaffer himself. The juice was then left with the skins for an hour. The juice, skins, and stems were then gently pressed into chilled stainless steel to settle for two days. The juice was transferred to another tank, where it fermented for five weeks. The wine was then aged in combination stainless steel and older French oak barrels before bottling.
12% ABV
Flavor Profile: Twist the cap (Love it!—Wish all rosés had a twist top. Just saying…) off the 2018 Mourvedre Rosé and breathe in the funk of the earth, wilting roses, and dehydrated-rehydrated black cherries and prunes. This rosé presents a light, soft peach on the pour, settling into the glass a soft, alluring shade of salmon.
Initial aromas are of flowers. Full stop. A field of wild flowers swaying within an ocean sea breeze. Indeed, a deep breath in and you can sense that sea-salt salinity. There’s also a good hint of wild strawberry, maybe a hint of red cherry…so swirl. Swirl and the vivacity of those light-red fruits come through further, they are plump, bursting, ready to become a summer time juice. But the dominance of the floral and the backbone of the sea do not leave.
On the palate this rosé is soft as silk to the tongue. A gentle, gentle, gentle acidity oh so subtly pierces through the center — of the tasting and the tongue, physically, leaving just the slightest tingle down the center of the tongue and a salivating sensation around the perimeter. Dominant flavors are of lemon-lime zest, lime leaf, floral perfume, wild strawberry, lemongrass, and a background of pink grapefruit.
NOTE: I served this wine, as Larry recommends, at cellar temperature (around 55 – 60°F). As it comes to room temp, you’ll find a bit more texture sticking to the tongue. Light, pleasant, reminiscent of a light-bodied red wine (as a rosé should be in my modest opinion.)
Food Pairing: Salmon salad: strawberry, mandarin oranges, fennel, green onion, basil, feta, balsamic vinaigrette.
More Info: I received the Tercero Wines Mourvédre Rosé as a sample for review. (Cheers Larry!) Price: $30. For more information about Larry, his wines, and to purchase wine directly, please visit the Tercero Wines website.
BriscoeBites officially accepts samples as well as conducts on-site and online interviews. Want to have your wine, winery or tasting room featured? Please visit the Sample Policy page where you can contact me directly. Cheers!