Simple aromas of watermelon and strawberry seem to fade on the palate, which lacks fruit, particularly for the amount of skin and seed tannin here. Though fresh, with nice acidity, it seems bitter and unbalanced.

Better with food, this is decidedly not a beach or poolside sipper. Shinn Estate always goes for a bolder, ‘non-wimpy’ style of rose, but perhaps 2011 wasn’t the year to accomplish that.

Producer: Shinn Estate Vineyards
AVA: North Fork of Long Island
ABV: 13.3%
Price: $16*

 

(2 out of 5, Average)