2015 Arnot-Roberts, Rose of Touriga Nacional, Luchsinger Vineyard, Clear Lake.
One of the most pleasing and complex pink wines of the season comes from Duncan Meyers and Nathan Roberts of Arnot-Roberts, their outstanding Rose of Touriga Nacional that hails from Luchsinger Vineyard in Kelseyville, Clear Lake AVA. This bright and almost leesy pink is savory and dry with crisp mineral intensity and pretty subtle fruit essences, Arnot-Roberts matched the terroir and varietal to near perfection, allowing the mix of river rock and volcanic soils as well as the hot days and cool nights of Lake County to unfold layers of complexity and charm. The nose shines with rosewater, red pepper and citrus in this pale salmon hued wine that shows serious restraint, but wonderful focus with dynamic acidity and gorgeous length with light raspberry, tart cherry, strawberry, watermelon and mixed citrus as well as liquid mineral, wet slate, grapefruit, a hint of basil/mint and faint lavender. It’s hard to imagine it getting better than this, this brisk and dusty rose gives some of those old school Provence roses a real run for their money from this unique in California Portuguese grape. Arnot-Roberts are crafting some great wines, especially this Rose, but be sure to keep an eye out for their majestic Syrah(s), the cult hit Trousseau and the amazingly beautiful Trout Gulch Chardonnay from the Santa Cruz Mountains.
($26 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
