Monday, I published my thoughts on rosé wine production. Basically, there are two ways to make a rosé: the Saignée Method where a bit of juice is bled off a red wine and then vinified, and what I call a dedicated rosé (since there is far from a consensus on the term) where every decision made in the process from pruning to picking to pressing is made with the express desire to make a rosé. (There is a third way to make a rosé, when red wine is blended with white, but this is exclusively used in sparkling wine production.)

Here are a few more rosés that I have sampled this Spring. All of these are north of $20, but given the quality, they are a steal….

2015 Propiedad de Arinzano Hacienda de Arinzano Rosé Tempranillo: Retail $20. Well, I searched and searched and while I am fairly confident that this is a “dedicated” rosé, I could not find definitive proof. You know what? Who cares? Even though I babbled on about dedicated rosés, the proof is ultimately in the wine. This 100% Tempranillo Rosado displays so many of the characteristics that are vital in a good rosé (fruit, acidity, balance), in the end it doesn’t matter (although I will keep looking). Delightful pale strawberry color and a shy nose hides its true intentions. The mistake is to have this wine too cold, since, as it warmed in the glass, it took on considerably more heft, verve, and sassiness. Strawberry and Bing cherry coat the mouth while a tart minerality tingles the tongue. While the price is modest, the depth is not. Take some time to contemplate this wine and you will be gleefully rewarded. Outstanding. 91-93 Points.

2015 Ehlers Estate Sylviane Rosé: Retail $28. 100% Cabernet Franc. I originally tried this at the winery as the first wine in a long line of  wines that I tasted over the course of several hours. I did not (nor was I able to) perseverate much over this wine at the time, but I knew then that this was an incredible rosé, nay, an incredible wine. One of the darker rosés on the market I would imagine, with deep, vibrant pink color. On color alone, I would give this a Whoa, and I don’t think that has ever been the case. All of the Cabernet Franc Rosés I have had (as far as I know) have been from Chinon, which I consider to be the heart and soul of Cabernet Franc. Until now. This rosé is nothing short of fantastic, unless you dislike strawberry rhubarb pie (I love it): tart, fruity, with a bit of cotton candy on the nose. On the palate? More of the same with laser like acidity and a sterling finish. One of the best rosés I have had in a very long while. Outstanding. 92-94 Points.