By Lenn Thompson, Founder and Editor-in-Chief
For some reason, we haven't been drinking as much rose around the house this summer as we normally do. I'm not sure why, exactly, but this wine was a nice reminder of why we should drink it more often, with and without our meals.
I should also mention that year in and year out, this is always one of my wife's favorite local roses.
Corey Creek Vineyards' 2008 Domaines CC Rose ($18) is made using the saignee method where juice is bled off early in the red wine process and fermented separately. It's mostly merlot (80%) with 15% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon.
2% was fermented in new French oak, with the rest done in stainless steel to preserve bright fruit character.
The nose is fruity and bright, dominated by red cherry and strawberry aromas, but there is a light vanilla-spice note two that is interesting but not overwhelming and a subtle cherry blossom note as well.
Medium bodied, dry and with lightly creamy mouthfeel, this rose has nice acidity that keeps that creaminess from being heavy and pushes through to the end of a medium-long finish. The flavors closely match the nose with red cherry and strawberry flavors joined by that faint whisp of vanilla.
We enjoyed this wine over the weekend with pork tenderloin, tomato salad and sauteed sweet corn. It worked beautifully with all three.
At $18, it's not a great deal, but that's the price at the winery. I'll bet you can find this for $15 or less retail.
Producer: Bedell Cellars/Corey Creek Vineyards
AVA: North Fork of Long Island
ABV: 12%
Price: $18
Rating: 
(3 out of 5 | Recommended)
(Ratings Guide)