Winemaker Notes
Exquisite rosé wines are known for being both beautiful and delicate; this 2019 vintage is a shining example as to why Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley makes exceptional rosé. In the glass, the wine reveals a gorgeous, peony blush color and opens up to aromas of wild strawberry and pink grapefruit. On the palate, you will find the crisp flavor of watermelon, a hint of powdered sugar, and just a slight glimmer of hibiscus tea. Bright acidity and fresh fruit carry all the way through rounding out to a crisp, lingering finish of tropical and citrus fruits. This wine is summer in a bottle and ready to enjoy now!
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Sonoma-Cutrer Rosé of Pinot Noir is bright, pleasing, and crisp. TASTING NOTES: This excellent wine exhibits attractive savory spices and bright red fruit in its aromas and flavors. Serve it with grilled chicken thighs on a warm summer's day. (Tasted: March 3, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.