Variety: 33% Malbec; 32% Cabernet Franc; 31% Petit Verdot; 4% Merlot
Region: North Fork of Long Island, NY – USA
Cost: $24 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: Pale pink color, delicate nectarine, watermelon, and fresh apricot aromas. Mouthwatering and crisp, with a light body and joyful, layered red summer fruit. Pair with ricotta salata, fish tacos, cilantro-lime shrimp.
My Review: I’ve had wine from New York before, but it had mostly been limited to the Finger Lakes region (courtesy of a trip during a wedding). That being said, I’ve seen Lenn Thompson (of The Cork Report) post endlessly about Macari Vineyards, and their rose’ in particular. Which made me excited to finally try said rose’ when offered the chance.
In the glass the wine was a dark salmon pink color with lots of orange showing when held up to the light. On the nose I got aromas of white flowers, apricot, stone fruit, and tart, under-ripe strawberry. On the palate the wine was dry and crisp, with enough fresh tartness to get the mouth watering. Flavors of under-ripe strawberry were the most prominent, but as the wine warmed I also got some tart red berries as well.
My wife and I paired the wine with some pork chops with asparagus and egg noodles topped with a porcini sauce. The tartness of the wine was a nice counter to the rich earthiness of the sauce and the grilled meat, but I think some fish tacos or bright shrimp ceviche would be an amazing pairing with this wine.
We drink rose’ throughout the year here, partly because we live in Raleigh, NC and it’s warm much longer here, but also because it pairs well with lots of the food we eat throughout the year. I’m always looking for that “house” rose’ to keep on hand, and the 2020 Macari Vineyards Rose’ is definitely in the running. It’s an amazing value at $24, and easily one I can see having a case (ok…or two) shipped to my house to get through the worst heat of the North Carolina summer.
Disclaimer: I received this wine as a free sample for review.
