Whether it's playful and fun or savory and serious, most rosé today is not your grandmother's White Zinfandel, though that category remains strong. Pink wine has recently become quite trendy, and this time around it's commonly quite dry. Since the pigment in red wines comes from keeping fermenting juice in contact with the grape skins for an extended period, it follows that a pink wine can be made using just a brief period of skin contact-usually just a couple of days. The resulting color depends on grape variety and winemaking style, ranging from pale salmon to deep magenta.
1 Bottle
Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Pinot Noir, Monterey 2001
90 points Allen Meadows - Burghound A wonderfully expressive ripe pinot nose laced with notes of red and black raspberry framed by a very discreet trace of toast leads to rich, sweet, intense and precise sappy middle weight flavors that possess both knockout length and exceptionally good balance. I particularly like the mouth feel and it carries its alcohol with only the barest trace of warmth. Built to age with the concentration and harmony to do it, this is recommended. (7/2005)
Bow & Arrow Pinot Noir Hughes Hollow Vineyard 2015 (One Bottle)
An interesting story behind this vineyard. Originally planted 30+ years ago on a north-facing slope, it was not given a name and was used by large production houses for color and bulk. Bow & Arrow winemaker Scott Frank convinced the owner to switch to organic farming and sell him the Gamay block planted on the site. Pinot Noir became part of the deal grudgingly, but it has turned out that this is the best source of Pinot Noir that Frank has worked with. Dry farmed vines. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of fresh cherry, oak spice and burnt tobacco. Generous mid weight flavors of purple and black berries that charm the palate through a noticeably long finish. The tannins are well-matched, and there is a modest oak contribution.
Bow & Arrow Pinot Noir Vitae Springs Vineyard 2015 (One Bottle)
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The nose is redolent of aromas of cherrywood, cardamom spice and burnt tobacco. The mid weight plus core of black cherry and boysenberry fruits shows a good attack and length on the palate with some finishing persistence. Sleek in texture, with vibrant acidity, complimentary tannins and a noticeable infusion of oak.
Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
94 points Jeb Dunnuck I reviewed the 2008 Syrah Sleepy Hollow Vineyard a few years ago for the Wine Advocate and it showed similarly this go around, with Northern Rhône like notes of blackcurrants, cured meats, olive tapenade and spring flowers. Complex, layered, silky and medium-bodied, it's drinking beautifully today yet easily has another decade or more of longevity. This Syrah comes from a cool site in the Santa Lucia Highlands that was planted with a selection of vines from the Northern Rhône, and the wine certainly follows suit. (JebDunnuck.com) (8/2017)
