2013 Arnot-Roberts, Rose, Luchsinger Vineyard, Clear Lake.
It’s Spring, it’s warm and it is full on Rose season with many exciting choices out there from Sheldon’s Rose of Graciano to Rochioli’s rare Rose of Pinot Noir and Matthiasson’s Napa Valley Rose all tasting great right now, but for something even more unique you might want to hurry and get some of this fantastic Pink from Arnot-Roberts. The 2013 Arnot-Roberts Rose is made from Touriga Nacional, the Portuguese grape common in Port wines, it is grown on the volcanic soils of Lake County, at Luchsinger Vineyard, north of Napa Valley and makes for a terrific and interesting Rose with lively acidity, spice and loads of flavor. Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts started Arnot-Roberts back in 2001, it seems like yesterday, and have since become one of the must have wines and Duncan’s winemaking is on fire, the latest wines are fantastic, I’m a huge fan of his Syrah, Chardonnay and the Trousseau, but I can tell you I’ll be sipping on the Rose as much as possible, this is dynamite stuff. The 2013 Rose of Touriga Nacional is bright with a nose of flinty red spices, tangy cherry, subtle floral and light plum notes leading to a palate of strawberry, raspberry, watermelon and red citrus along with mineral and pepper. Everything is framed by lively fresh acidity and it is zesty from start to finish with the perfect amount of crispy character and mouth watering saline, though there is plenty of lingering fruit aftertaste and this Rose is very fulfilling, drink now.
($25 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
avail at www.sfwtc.com ($24.95)