June has been a whirlwind of a month. Restrictions have been lifting on stay-at-home orders, and then almost immediately they were being put back in place as virus cases shot up. There is a lot of discord related to the wearing and not wearing of masks. People are making a real effort and showing up for the Black Lives Matter movement. June also marks the summer solstice as well as National Rosé Day. My husband ran a 100-mile race in less than 24 hours, and I tried three different Rosés. We’ve got some different priorities. Haha!
Browne Family Vineyards 2018 Rosé – Rating 3/5
This wine was from Columbia Valley, Washington and sampled on June 7, 2020. I snatched this bottle at my local grocery store. I was intrigued by its pale, salmon color and just had to have it. This was a 100% Grenache Rosé. I was listening to “Hero” by Weezer. I could smell wet river rocks and pink flowers, which transported me straight to summers on the river that I spent as a child. The first taste brought light, almost ripe, but not quite, strawberries and a tingle of acidity. It was very low in body and tannins. There was just a hint of lemon. The acidity helped to cut through the heavy sauce of the chicken alfredo, but the flavor was just lacking overall, hence the 3/5 rating.
J.P. Bourgeois 2019 Rosé – Rating 2.5/5
This wine was from Stajerska-Slovenia in Eastern Slovenia and sampled on June 9, 2020. To say I loved this wine label would be an understatement. I could not resist this UFO design. This bottle was a full liter, which I haven’t seen until now. I’m here for it though! This Rosé was a “secret blend.” It was a medium salmon color in the glass. The first scent was jam-packed with super fruity berries. It was like picking overripe ones that squished in your hand. The taste was also very fruity, but the high acidity offset it somewhat. It did help clear the palate of the pork belly, but this wine needed a high-fat pairing. It’s very sweet to drink on its own. I do love a glass of Rosé by itself though, so that’s how it only got a 2.5/5.
Bellula 2019 Rosé – Rating 4/5
This wine was from Languedoc, France and sampled on June 13, 2020. A blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache made up this Rosé. I was listening to “I’m Alive” by Norah Jones. This was another very lovely pale salmon-colored wine. I smelled very simple scents of white flowers with a hint of citrus. It had a silky mouthfeel to it with lightness in the taste as well. I gathered peach and pear. I paired this with blueberry, lemon, and thyme goat cheese, mixed nuts, and dried apples with honey. This is a really great wine option to enjoy on its own on a patio or by the pool and with lighter fare. It’s a solid option at 4/5. Enjoy it all summer!
Chateau Tour Chapoux 2018 Red Blend – 3/5
This wine was from Bordeaux, France and sampled on June 16, 2020. This Bordeaux blend was made up of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Cabernet Franc. I was listening to “Demon To Lean On” by Wavves. The hue of this wine was a medium purple. I usually see ruby or deep red, but this one was very clearly purple. It smelled of overripe blackberries and shale. The body was on the heavier side. At first, the taste was something dark and deep, but the finish was light and minerally. Flavors included red plum, then blackberries, then granite. Even with a heavier body, it was still too light to pair with the New York strip steak. It just fell a bit short in comparison. I could see pairing it with pork more easily, but on this night, it only earned a 3/5.
Areyna 2018 Torrontés – 4.5/5
This wine was from Valle de Cafayote, Salta in Argentina and sampled on June 24, 2020. I haven’t had any wines from Argentina yet, so I was pretty excited to see this in my Wine Awesomeness box. I was listening to “Rivers and Roads” by The Head & the Heart.” It was a pale, straw color. The smell was a little odd. It smelled like pool water and maybe window cleaner. I was kind of scared to try it at that point, but I dove in anyway. It had a biting acidity that reminded me of Picpoul. The fruit kicked in quickly though. It was like eating a papaya and then sucking on a sour candy. It was very cleansing with the homemade chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries. I liked it quite a bit! It’s not your normal white wine. I gave it a 4.5/5. I love sour anything though, so I might be a bit biased. Don’t let the first scent put you off! It softens as it sits.