Winemaker Notes
On its own or served with fowl or fish – it is highly recommended with fresh salmon – this 2015 Rose of Pinot Noir is one of the mostpleasurable wines you will ever taste.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Exuberant aromas of pressed strawberry and raspberry are cut by a squeeze of lime, a touch of pepper and a noticeable tension to the nose of this solid pink wine. Bountiful acidity frames the palate, where broad strawberry flavors and ripe orange are hit with a spicy twist.
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.
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.