2016 Tatomer, Rose of Pinot Noir, Edna Valley.
Graham Tatomer’s outstanding and dry Rose of Pinot Noir, the wine formerly known as “Spatburgunder Rose” is a flavorful summer wine of crisp intensity and charm, it fits in nice with his latest set of releases that are some of his best wines to date. The Rose is bright with tangy fruit essences including distilled strawberry, sour cherry, pink grapefruit/citrus, watermelon and a hint of guava in a steely, mineral driven frame with brisk acidity and stony elements. With a few swirls, a light rosewater, minty/lavender and red peach comes through as well and it drinks with some flair and verve, it’s an easy pink to love and has enough body and structure to be a fine companion with cuisine. Tatomer’s 2016 Gruner Veltliner Meeresboden is also a new wine from this winery to get on to as soon as possible, it’s loaded with energy and vitality with mouth-watering dusty dry vigor, ultra refreshing, vivid and vibrant with laser like focus and Austrian inspiration showing very clearly, Graham’s experience shines in this wine, least we forget he worked at Knoll and in the Wachau! Gruner has taken hold here in California and in Oregon with some fantastic wines on offer, with Tatomer leading the way, but you’ll certainly want to check out Johan Vineyards in the Willamette Valley and a trio from the Santa Cruz Mountains, Alfaro Family Vineyards, Vocal and (even) Arnot-Roberts! Back to this lovely Tatomer Rose, be sure to find it, it sells out fast, it really impresses on the palate and is simply a tasty treat for these warm days, drink over the next year.
($26 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive