See also: Refreshing summer wines (Jan 2008) Best rosé wines over £5 Rosé Champagne: our top 20 LAST WEEK: Top 10 Wedding wines NEXT WEEK: Top 10 Refreshing summer whites
Sparkling:
Bollinger’s new release is a treat. Red cherries and raspberries mingle on the deep, inviting nose. The palate displays vibrancy and further red fruit notes but with a dark twist. Highly polished and with admirable complexity for a Rosé
Still:
Marqués De Cáceres Rosado, Rioja 2007
80% Tempranillo and 20% Grenache, this is finely balanced, structured and classy Rosé. The nose is fresh and lively and the palate boasts good acidity and a mix of red summer fruits. Good length.
Bonterra Rosé Mendocino California 2007
From on of the most well known organic properties, this Sangiovese Rosé displays a Fresh strawberry nose with a hint of minerals lurking underneath. Light in the mouth with more fresh strawberries and a twist of citrus fruit, the zesty acidity and long finish completes the picture. Refreshing.
Château les Crostes, Côtes de Provence 2007
From the spiritual home of Rosé, this top class wine, made from Grenache and Cinsault, displays lots of blossom flower characters. The palate is lightly bodied with pure and clean red cherry fruit flavours, and lively, refreshing acidity on the finish. Perfect summer drinking.
The epitome of attractive, quaffable new world Rosés. Bright, cherry red in appearaince with fresh, subtle tangy cherry fruit notes on the nose. Really good easy drinking wine with plenty of pleasant summer fruits and good persistence.
Rosé des Tourelles, Bordeaux 2006
Top-notch, sophisticated Rosé from one of the most prestigious properties in Bordeaux (Château Pichon Longueville-Baron). Supremely polished with lovely balance and plenty of red berry fruit flavours.
Domaine Maby, La Forcadière Rosé, Tavel 2007
From the famous Rosé region of Tavel in the Rhône valley, this pink delight is a world away from the overly-sweet, sticky Blush Zinfandels and alike that sell by the crate-load in the UK. Made in a traditional, more rustic style, it’s relatively deep in colour yet still crammed with fresh red fruit and white flower notes
Château Sainte-Marguerite, M de Marguerite, Côtes de Provence 2007
From one of the icon producers of Provence, this flagship Rosé is full of charming, soft red fruit and delicate floral aromas. There’s lots of finesse on the palate with a broad aromatic palate. It will pair nicely with Mediterranean food.
Louis Jadot, Beaujolais Rosé 2007
From the region famed for its light, fresh reds comes this similarly delicate Rosé. The nose is soft and floral with a touch of citrussy zing adding lift. In the mouth it’s crisp with hints of redcurrant and fresh acidity. Unassuming and very quaffable.
Denis Dubourdieu, Le Rosé de Floridene, Bordeaux 2007
From one of Bordeaux’s most respected producers, this sleek wine displays a creamy, welcoming nose and a palate that boasts forward Cabernet fruit, underpinned by a pleasing, herbal, grassy streak. Clean and tasty, a lovely, clear mineral finish polishes it off.
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