Variety: Grenache Noir, Clairette, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Syrah, Bourboulenc, Picpoul
Region: Tavel, France
Cost: $20 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes:
Slightly lighter in color, distinctive aromatic expression redolent of white fruit. Great fullness, fleshy and round with our signature lingering, fresh finish, the expression of our greatest terroirs. This vintage is comparable to the great 1995 and 2000 years. Pair with Lamb curry, poultry in cream sauce, bouillabaisse, paella, Asian cuisine, and goat cheeses.
My Review:
The heat dome is firmly set over much of the United States, which means if you’re not drinking rose’, you’re doing it wrong. So even though this rose’ isn’t from the US, it’s certainly worth checking out since the heat doesn’t appear to be going anywhere (hooray).
In the glass the wine was lighter than several of the others I’d had, and on the nose I picked up roses and strawberry, both of which carried over to the palate which was nice and crisp and featured a nice, clean, refreshing finish that would be welcome on the coolest of days, but was a delight in this unholy heats.
My wife and I paired this wine with a dinner of chicken and cream sauce (sometimes I follow the recommendations), and I have to say that the wine did a great job of cutting through the richness of the food. That being said, I think my ideal situation for this wine would be on a shaded patio with a charcuterie that included some saltier goat cheeses – it just seems like a better fit for munching than as a pairing for a meal.
For $20 I think the 2015 Chateau d’Aqueria Tavel Rose’ is a great value wine, and certainly one worth grabbing a bottle of, especially as we have at least another month of this heat to go. It may not change your world, but it will refresh your palate, and that’s nothing to cry about.
