2015 Pedroncelli Dry Rose Of Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley

The Rose Revolution continues on #winestudio with this offering from Pedroncelli Winery & Vineyards. You couldn't blink while interacting with the winery because the questions and wine facts were flying fast and furious. Made from vines ranging in age from 40-65 years old, the Dry Rose Of Zinfandel is made by combining free run juice from early picked grapes (60% of the blend) and 40% saignée. Fermentation is completed in temp controlled stainless steel with bottling completed a few months after harvest. All this means for us Rose lovers is the freshness of the vintage and vineyard is captured in each bottle. In the 60's and 70's this wine was much sweeter but has become dry over the last 10 yrs with each family generation refinement.

We had a wide range of pairings this evening and I chose a deep dish Chicago pizza but first naturally I had to swirl and sip. The nose was full of strawberry, raspberry with spice and pepper. As the wine warmed in the glass the aromas opened even more. The mouth I found delightful with red berries (strawberry/cranberry) with a hint of citrus zest, slight tartness and that lovely pepper spice on the finish. I could taste a touch of the sweetness, but when paired with the pizza the sweetness said goodbye and the pepper spice became more pronounced along with tart cranberry. A really nice rose my Pedroncelli friends!

Folks tune Tuesday for another Rose tasting on WineStudio!

Cheers
Dan

2015 Campesino Isa Grenache Rose Sonoma Coast

When is a great time to sip rose you ask? Anytime should be the answer not just when it's hot. Readers know I'm a huge fan of Campesino Cellars and the wines produced by Macario Montoya. Today's 2015 Grenache Rose might just be one of the finest rose wines I have sipped.

Macario along with his wife Griselda own this ultra premium boutique label. I just love small production wines with their intense flavors and labor of love production. The attention to detail on these wines from the vineyard to the bottle is a team effort. As they will both tell you the success of their label includes the work of the Campesinos. Many times these field workers are forgotten but not by these two because it's the exact same work their families performed when coming to the area to make a better life for themselves and their children.

In the glass the red berry aromas explode with wild strawberry and raspberry. Cinnamon spice fills your nose with a slight hint of white pepper and fresh daisies. Nice complexity of aromas.

The mouth was so good I think my comment to the winemaker "I love this wine!" was well received LOL. The red berries were so intense (cranberry, strawberry, raspberry, cherry) with a slight tartness in the middle but a wonderful splash of spice on the finish. A wonderful expression of rose and wine which Macario produces. Well done my friend and Happy Fathers Day!

I encourage you to sign up for the mailing list by clicking the link Campesino Cellars Mailing List to make sure you have the opportunity to obtain their latest releases. It's an email I can't wait to receive but then again you already knew that.

Cheers
Dan

Sonoma's Rose Revolution Winestudio with Passaggio Wines 2015 Merlot Rose

Welcome to #Winestudio and our journey tasting through Sonoma's Rose Revolution. First up a label I am all to familiar with Passaggio Wines and winemaker Cynthia Cosco. Handcrafted to bring you a new generation of small lot food friendly wines, "I believe something magical happens when you bring wonderful friends, awesome food, and great wines together" says Cindy. I remember first meeting her back in 2010 and was reminded as she chatted with the tasters her journey from law enforcement to winemaker. Winestudio is full of facts and winemaker/participant conversation. One of the best shows out there.

Rose is such a versatile wine with its food friendly demeanor...I swear it pairs with anything. Not just for warm months try rose with your thanksgiving dinner along with anytime on the patio. What made this wine special as many small lot productions, is that the winemaker and her friends picked these grapes and headed straight for the winery for a full on press. The wine is crisp on the nose with loads of red berry and hints of plum. The mouth is juicy and long with plum and ripe red berries.There was no food pairing tonight because this sipper didn't last. Well done Cindy.

Tune in Tuesday for another Rose Revolution tasting.

Cheers
Dan