Winemaker Notes
Bright pink color. Complex aromas of white flowers, raspberry, pomegranate, strawberry and light menthol. Fresh, vibrant, long & complex.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The top cuvée from this world class estate, the 2020 Tavel Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois is mostly Grenache yet includes about 15% Clairette and smaller amounts of Syrah, Cinsault, and Bourboulenc. Vibrant wild strawberry and raspberry fruits as well as violets and candied cherry notes define the nose, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a bright spine of acidity, and a clean, dry finish. It's a more elegant, racy style of Tavel, yet it still has ample richness and depth. It shows an almost garrigue and wild herb character with time in the glass and is a classy, flawlessly balanced rosé that's going to shine at the dinner table.
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.
The only all-rosé appellation in the Rhone, a Tavel comes in many hues from light salmon to bright pink and is said to be the only rosé that can actually age—and improve. The rosé wines of Tavel have a great historic reputation, having been favored by King Louis XIV in the 18th century, as well as famous authors, Balzac and Mistral.
Tavel are always dry but the high percentage of the fruity Grenache (30-60% of the blend by law) and even Cinsault, give charming aromas and flavors that make them feel "almost sweet." A great Tavel rosé will have a bouquet suggestive of rose petals, apricot, strawberry and red currant. The palate may be fleshy, round and layered but is always fresh and balanced.