By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief

May is two-thirds over and so is Run for the Roses, but we're going to jam a lot of rose reviews into the last 12 days of the month, including this wine from Peconic Bay Winery's Nautique second-label line.

Much like Lieb's Merlot Blanc, this Nautique Esprit de Rose ($16) is a charitable double-whammy. First, a dollar from each bottle purchased goes to CancerCare as
part of Run for the Roses.

Then, Peconic Bay
Winery, in collaboration with the National Breast Cancer Foundation,
Inc. (NBCF), to fight breast cancer. A portion of the
proceeds, about a dollar a bottle, will be donated to NBCF.

Made using estate-grown
cabernet sauvignon with some North Fork cabernet sauvignon and
cabernet franc, and a
bit of estate chardonnay and riesling to round it out, this is extremely fruity, but also shows of a bit of North Fork character.

Red berries and orange peel fruitiness is accented on the nose by a subtle earthiness and just a little lemony citrus character.

Fruity and round on the palate, the red berry flavors are a bit candied and dominate here with a creamy mid-palate and subtle dried herb flavors. The acidity is good, but isn't quite integrated into the wine.

This one might need a bit more time in bottle to settle in, but my guess is that it'll sell out at the tasting room before it has a chance to.

Producer: Peconic Bay Winery
ABV: 13.3%

Price:
$16*
Rating: 84