2015 Ser Winery, Rose of Nebbiolo, Olof Vineyard, Lake County.
Ser Winery is a artisan Santa Cruz based winery that sources single vineyard fruit to craft unique terroir expensive wines, it is the solo project of Nicole Walsh, ex Bonny Doon winemaker, and her latest set wines are all worth searching out, especially her lovely Rose of Nebbiolo. The 2015 Ser Rose of Nebbiolo busts from the glass with a pretty color and lots of tart cherry, the varietal’s natural acidity giving plenty of energy and laser like focus, but it is refined and charmingly juicy/fresh on the palate with mineral tones and subtle spices. There are layers of red peach, bright citrus, plum water, watermelon, red apple skin and strawberry as well as a hint of bitter herb, wet stones and rosewater. This is cool and crisp in mouth and has a nice dry feel without being too austere, everything is well judged and balanced. This is something out of the ordinary and really fun, this is a groovy California pink made from an Italian grape with French sensibilities, I really like it, and Nicole’s other new wines include a Dry Orange Muscat, very different, and a great set of Coastview Vineyard, Monterey, offerings, a Chardonnay, maybe the best of her wines in this vintage, a lovely earthy Pinot Noir and a fine meaty and spicy Syrah, plus a wonderful Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir and a wild Cabernet Pfeffer from old head trained wines in Cienega Valley, that tastes a bit like rustic Negrette and Loire Franc! This is winery to keep an eye on, and for the moment grab this superb Rose of Nebbiolo, sourced from Lake County and it’s mineral rich mixed volcanic soils, it’s highly pleasing and refreshing, impressive stuff from Ser!
($20 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive