2017 Rochioli, Rose of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley.
It’s Summer and perfect timing to get your hands on Rochioli’s beautiful Rose of Pinot Noir, it’s a wine for the season, full of flavor as it’s style and vividly hued, it’s a rare offering to be sure, but one to get on to the winery about, like yesterday! The 2017 is Rochioli’s maybe best or fine tuned version in many years, it’s color is wonderfully sexy and bright in the glass, a touch paler than the last two years and while mouth filling and extravagant it is cooly crisp in the glass with a subtle mineral focus and balanced. Layered with pure Pinot fruits the 2017 Rochioli Rose of Pinot Noir excites the palate with a vibrant array of pleasing fruit and well judged acidity and texture showing tart cherry, strawberry, a touch of citrus juiciness along with red peach, tangy cranberry and watermelon as well as wild sage, rosewater and snappy herbs. A hint of wet stones and saline get your mouth watering, it’s glowing pink/magenta shimmers in the light all making this a seriously delightful and expressive Rose that is impossible to resist, a true guilty pleasure. With air this Rochioli pink does pick up a sense of density adding some weight as well, it still maintains it’s energy and force, but it’s not as let’s say Reeve’s ultra brisk and lean version, both are favorites of mine, and this Rochioli, while refreshing enough for the beach on a hot day, can and does stand up to a full meal. With a world of great Rose offerings, this one still stands out, Rochioli is one of California’s classic wineries and it’s always a thrill to taste their wines.
($28 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
