Wine Road Podcast: Dylan Moilanen, Co-Founder & Director of Winemaking at ACTA Wines

 

 

Style of the Month: Rosé

 

It’s that time of year again. Time for the new releases of Rosé—the summer favorite and year round delight. Light and lively, with flavors of strawberry, watermelon, and spice—Rosé is the crisp and refreshing choice for picnics and barbecues but also easy to pair with a variety of meal options. Rosé color can range from deep golden salmon to translucent onionskin to barely there pale pink. Fill you glass and get ready for another season of #RoseAllDay.

 

Here are some capsule reviews of Rosé wines you may find along the Wine Road.

 

 

Capo Creek 2023 Rosé of Grenache, North Coast

 

The Capo Creek 2023 Rosé of Grenache, North Coast is composed of 83% Grenache and 17% Zinfandel. It has a light salmon color with a nose of strawberry, cherry, Santa Rosa plum and watermelon. On the palate it’s soft as cotton candy, yet bold with spicy flavors of strawberry, ripe raspberry, cherry and pomegranate. Nice structure overall with a long spicy finish. Pair with Ginger Lime Panna Cotta.

 

ABV 14.1%

$ 28

 

Jeff Cohn Cellars Pure Pink 2023 Rosé of Syrah Rockpile Vineyard, DCV

 

The Jeff Cohn Cellars Pure Pink 2023 Rosé of Syrah is from the Rockpile Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. The color is a deep salmon with a golden glow at the edges. On the nose, scents of watermelon and pink peppercorn. On the palate, a medley of juicy mango, blackberries, raspberry, strawberry and grounding note of clove on the long bright finish. Pair with Parmesan and Onion tart.

 

AVB 13.2%

$ 35

 

Pedroncelli 2023 Dry Creek Valley Rosé of Zinfandel, Bushnell Vineyard

 

The Pedroncelli 2023, Dry Creek Valley, Rosé of Zinfandel from Bushnell Vineyard is a pretty copper rose gold in color. On the nose, notes of watermelon, candied strawberry, citron, grapefruit and a touch of ginger spice. On the palate it’s lively and spirited with refreshing flavors of bright strawberry, watermelon, pink grapefruit pith, and honeydew. Pair with Fried Green Tomatoes drizzled with sweet chili sauce.

 

ABV 13.9%

$22

 

Quivira Vineyards 2023 Wine Creek Ranch Rosé DCV

 

The Quivira Vineyards 2023 Wine Creek Ranch Rosé from Dry Creek Valley is a

blend of 53% Grenache, 22% Petit Sirah, 14% Counoise, 7% Mourvedre, and 4% Primitivo. It has a soft pale pink color with a rosy gold rim like a sunrise. On the nose, it’s a summery confection of strawberry, watermelon, cherry and bubble gum.  On the palate, steely acidity with flavors of raspberry, strawberry, candied ginger and thyme. On the finish, a soft creaminess emerges with a distinct note of passion fruit. Pair with French radishes with herb butter and salt for dipping.

 

ABV 13.5%

$32

 

Saini Vineyards 2023 Valentina Marie Rosé of Grenache DCV

 

The Saini Vineyards 2023 Valentina Marie Rosé of Grenache, Dry Creek Valley is a pale rose gold parchment color. On the nose, it’s aromatic with scents of spicy carnation, watermelon, cherry and pomegranate. On the palate it sings with flavors of lime, hibiscus, tomato leaf, ginger and a note of creamy passion fruit on the long fine finish. Pair with Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil salad.

 

ABV 12.5%

$27

 

Robert Young Rachel’s Rosé 2022, Alexander Valley

 

The Robert Young Rachael’s Rosé 2022 Alexander Valley, is the first wine made by Rachael Taylor, a 6^th generation scion of the Young Family, in honor of her great-great-great-grandmother Rachael Young. The color is a soft ginger pink with a gold tinge at the rim. On the nose, rose petals, strawberry, parchment, dried thyme and lavender linen. The palate is taut and tart with notes of sweet strawberry, orange marmalade, limeade, and rhubarb. Pair with grilled summer squash with a tomato-goat cheese pesto. 

 

ABV 13.2%

$37

Wine Road Podcast: Carol Shelton, Winemaker and Owner of Carol Shelton Wines

 

Wine Road Podcast: 200th Episode with Richard Ross, Sound Enginer Threshold Studios.

 

The 200th episode of The Wine Road Podcast 

Beth and Marcy reminiscing on their podcasting journey, with the one and only Richard Ross, the man behind the Wine Road Podcast curtain!

Wine Road Podcast: Coco and Michele from Rock'n Vino

 

 

Varietal of the Month: Grenache

 

Grenache is a wonderful and versatile varietal all on it’s own, but its claim to fame is its use as one of the fundamental grapes in the highly regarded French Rhone blend Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Grenache is a medium bodied red wine with moderate acidity, and bright red fruit and strawberry flavors. The tannin structure can range from light and smooth to more pronounced depending on the climate in which it is grown.

 

Here are capsule reviews of Grenache wines you may find along the Wine Road.

 

 

Amista 2022 Grenache, Morningsong Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley

 

The Amista 2022 Grenache, Morningsong Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley is a harbinger of Spring with a fresh floral nose composed of plum blossom, red raspberry, a hint of clove, juniper and strawberry. On the palate, notes both sweet and savory come forward with hibiscus flower, dried strawberry, juniper and a flavor sensation like that of a fine confectionary made of dusty rose petals and fine pea gravel. That may sound weird, but trust me—it’s delicious—delicate and balanced. It has great structure with soft acidity and medium tannins on a long fine spicy finish. Pair with Croque Monsieur sandwich, a melted marvel composed of French ham and Gruyère cheese.

 

ABV 14.7%

$52

 

Capo Creek 2021 Estate Grenache, Dry Creek Valley

 

The Capo Creek 2021 Estate Grenache, Dry Creek Valley opens with a nose of dried rose petals and the bright scent of red cherry, strawberry compote, plum, clove and violets. It also has a luxe scent like that of a fine bag made of pebbled Nappa leather— deep and earthy. On the palate, a soft acidity with herbal notes of rosemary and thyme mingle with flavors of sweet plum, warm fig newton and a touch of strawberry. Medium tannins and a spicy finish make this a sure thing for pairing with a hearty Moroccan stew.

 

ABV 14.2%

$ 85

 

David Coffaro 2022 Grenache, Dry Creek Valley

 

The David Coffaro 2022 Grenache, Dry Creek Valley is aromatic and bursting with scents of ripe red and black cherries, candied lavender, Madagascar vanilla and a spice mix of clove, nutmeg and white pepper. On the palate it’s supple and savory full of juicy plum, strawberry, blood orange peel, cinnamon, piecrust and a bit of figgy pudding. Great texture with a long dry finish and soft tannins. Pair with curried empanadas.

 

ABV 15.0%

$35

 

Davis Family Vineyards 2021 Grenache, Dry Creek Valley

 

The Davis Family Vineyards 2021 Grenache, Dry Creek Valley is seductive and bold with aromas of sugarplum, rose petals, dried herbs, raspberry, sage and sandalwood. Like the atelier of a master perfume maker, the scents mingle and blend in the most amazing ways. On the palate a range of flavors from red cherry, and dried strawberry to black olive, lavender, thyme, and black tea. Supple and silky body texture with light tannins and acidity that support a smooth and spicy finish. Pair with Liberty duck and cherry-pomegranate sauce.

 

ABV 13.9%

$53

 

The Meeker Vineyard 2022 Grenache North Coast

 

If Willy Wonka made wine it would probably be as whimsical and magical as The Meeker Vineyard 2022 Grenache. It has a dreamscape of scents with a soft perfumed nose of vanilla, musk, strawberry-anise, spicy carnation and clove. On the palate, blackcherry, dried strawberry, spun sugar, fig and a tangy herbal note of sour red cherry and thyme. Great texture with medium acidity, soft tannins and a zesty, piquant finish. Pair with something sweet and savory like a Summer berry pie or poached pears. And for the record—I’m team Gene Wilder all the way, Depp and Chalamet have their moments but nothing beats the OG Willy Wonka of 1971.

 

ABV 14.6%

$36

 

Moshin Vineyards 2021 Grenache, Scotts Creek Vineyard, Russian River Valley

 

The Moshin Vineyards 2021 Grenache, Scotts Creek Vineyard, Russian River Valley is like a cheerful song you can’t stop humming. It has a lyrical nose of rose petals, plum, strawberry, black cherry, sunshine and sage. On the palate a big bang of rich flavors with red plum, pomegranate, raspberry and clove. The light tannins and juicy acidity bring forward notes of leather and crushed gravel with a warm peppery finish. It’s smooth and soft like the lyrics to Soft Kitty! (Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty, little ball of fur, Happy Kitty, Sleepy Kitty, Purr purr purr...) If Sheldon drank wine he’d pair this with mee krob and chicken satay with extra peanut sauce.

 

ABV 13.3%

$35

 

Peterson 2017 GSM, Dry Creek Valley 

 

The Peterson 2017 GSM, Dry Creek Valley has a scent that is dusty and floral with a touch of saddle leather and a lovely whiff of herbs that smell like sage and chaparral with a note of petrichor. It’s like riding horseback through the high dessert after a light rain. On the palate it’s popping with complexity presenting flavors of raspberry, blackberry and spicy plum sauce. Saddle up and enjoy the ride as this wine takes you on a sensory journey to flavor land. Pair with barbecued ribs slathered with a tangy tomato based sauce with maple, apple-cider vinegar, and brown sugar.

 

ABV 14.7%

$40

 

Wine Road Podcast: Shane Tracy, Tasting Room Manager at Wilson Winery