Are you getting tired of reading my rose reviews? I hope not. I’m tasting and drinking a lot of new ones every week and you’re gonna read about the best ones here.

To be sure, there is a lot of mediocrity in Long Island rose — with a strong dose of sameness.

I tasted a tank sample of Kontokosta Winery 2014 Rose, and it’s anything but the same. With a large syrah component (50%), there is a savory herbal-white pepper edge to a core of slightly jammy wild strawberry fruit flavor. Mouth-watering and delicious, this was the first wine I went back to after my tasting of nearly a dozen roses was complete.

Producer: Kontokosta Winery
AVA: North Fork of Long Island
ABV: 12.5%
Production: 554 cases
Composition: 50% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $20 (tank sample)


(3.5 out of 5 | Very Good, Recommended to Outstanding and Delicious, Highly Recommended)