Quick Sip: Y Rousseau Wines 2014 Rosé of Tannat
Hello Friends,
Today’s Quick Sip is Y Rousseau Wines’ 2014 Rosé of Tannat. I had an opportunity to try it for a recent virtual tasting put on by Protocol Wine Studio that highlighted drier styles of rosé. Every Tuesday at 9PM EST, you can join Protocol Wine Studio’s wine themed conversation by following hashtag #winestudio on Twitter.
Slightly sweet renditions of the pink juice, no doubt, have its fan base. But nowadays, drier examples are widely available, well-received, and great pairing partners to a huge array of foods. They are also flexible enough for just about any occasion – especially backyard cookouts during the warmer months. Even though rosés, either style, are largely synonymous with summer, I find that drier styles can easily be enjoyed year-round as pre-dinner refreshers or formal dinner wines – as some rosés pack complexity, character and even substance (Hello Tavel).
Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends! Disclosure: This wine was provided for review. Thoughts are my own.
Today’s Quick Sip is Y Rousseau Wines’ 2014 Rosé of Tannat. I had an opportunity to try it for a recent virtual tasting put on by Protocol Wine Studio that highlighted drier styles of rosé. Every Tuesday at 9PM EST, you can join Protocol Wine Studio’s wine themed conversation by following hashtag #winestudio on Twitter.
Slightly sweet renditions of the pink juice, no doubt, have its fan base. But nowadays, drier examples are widely available, well-received, and great pairing partners to a huge array of foods. They are also flexible enough for just about any occasion – especially backyard cookouts during the warmer months. Even though rosés, either style, are largely synonymous with summer, I find that drier styles can easily be enjoyed year-round as pre-dinner refreshers or formal dinner wines – as some rosés pack complexity, character and even substance (Hello Tavel).
 |
| Y Rousseau Wines 2014 Rosé of Tannat |
When I think of red wine grapes that Sonoma is known for, varieties like Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot are the first that come to mind -- not Tannat. The thick-skinned red wine grape, known for its firm tannin structure, is indigenous to Southwest France. There, the variety thrives in the village of Madiran and is capable of producing long-lived wines of high quality that are built to age and crafted for the patient. Yannick Rousseau’s love for Tannat goes back to his homeland of Gascony, France. In 2007, he founded Y Rousseau Wines to showcase wines from his native country (e.g., Colombard, Tannat) that perform well in Sonoma's Russian River Valley.
I recommend putting Yannick’s inky and substantial dry red wines made from Tannat on your wine radar. His 2014 rosé of Tannat, produced from a combination of direct pressing (75%) and free-run saignée (25%) methods, is a beautiful rosé to add to your wine radar as well. According to Yannick, who started making the 100% dry rosé of Tannat in 2012, it is the first ever made in the US. He attributes Tannat’s excellent acid structure to the wine’s success. For further information and where you can find this tasty pink juice, please see my tasting notes below.
Review: Y Rousseau Wines 2014 Rosé of Tannat ($24): This rosé pours a lovely pale salmon color. Subtle fragrances of vibrant red berry fruit and fleshy citrus notes greet the nose. The flavors, which are pleasantly restrained, match the aromas and are firmly packed onto an energetic frame supported by crisp acids and a gentle, streamlined texture. The wine finishes with a bright, medium-long rounded finish. Overall, a wonderfully fresh and beautiful rosé that’s ideal for warm weather sipping. It would also be a great partner to foods like fish tacos, bacon wrapped shrimp, grilled chicken salad, cold pasta salads, or flatbread pizza – the pairings are almost endless. Approximately 275 cases of this wine were produced. Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California. Other info: ABV 13.5%, 100% Tannat, fermented in stainless, aged 5 for months on lees – no stirring, screw cap enclosure). Rating: 91 Points. Click here to find this wine.
Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends! Disclosure: This wine was provided for review. Thoughts are my own.
Live, Love, Laugh, Tweet, Sip, Enjoy!
