2014AlfaroRose2014 Alfaro Family Vineyards, Rose of Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains.
Richard Alfaro’s vivid pink Rose of Pinot Noir is full of Pinot fruit and boldly lush to start with loads of tart cherry, a hint of blue fruit, a kiss of wood and sweet herbs and spice before quickly turning more vibrant and austere with a burst of acidity, mineral and red citrus coming to the fore. The dark pink wine has ruby edges and feels textural in the mouth, but manages to stay vinous and lively with tangy plum, peach and watermelon shinning through with some anise and earthy charm, this is a great food wine and perfect for summer, it is a full flavored Rose and is refreshing at the same time. Like I mentioned it almost tastes like a chilled red at first, but instead of feeling hard or tannic, this wine turns crisp with nice bright fruit, staying more balanced, poised and dry than I would have imagined, this is delightful and savvy stuff. On the Rose scale the Alfaro Rose of Pinot Noir is most certainly Californian, but with an almost Italian Rosato character to it, and it gives an insight into the beautiful detail and complexity of the vintage, it makes my mouth water for the upcoming releases of the Alfaro Family Vineyards Pinot Noir! The Alfaro Family Estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Corralitos is a must visit, just south of Santa Cruz city and close to Aptos, it is a cool climate site that makes for amazing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and even Gruner Veltliner, Albarino and Syrah. The Alfaro Rose is a tasting room wine, but can be bought on line at www.alfarowine.com as well, it is perfect right now, but should stay interesting over the next year or so, though I bet my bottles won’t last long!
($15 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive

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