As the date for my Eighth (!) Annual Blind Tasting of American True Rosé is fast approaching (it will be Memorial Day weekend), I thought it would be a good time to revisit some of the wines that I had previously tasted for my Annual Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wines (there have been six of those).

I started these blind tastings for other wine writers and professionals when we moved to Texas since a) it was a good way to meet other like-minded individuals and b) we finally had a space to hold such a tasting (our house in Texas is larger than our Philly home since, well, we had to perpetuate the cliché).

The reveal is always fun and often provides some surprises!

Often, wineries send a couple of bottles of their wine for the tasting on the off chance that one of the bottles is, well, off. That rarely happens, quite honestly, but I make an effort to get to each and every of those “extra” bottles and evaluate them as well since change can happen over time and bottle variation is real.

2019 Gloria Ferrer Brut Rosé, Carneros, CA: Retail $62. 92% Pinot Noir, 8% Chardonnay. This was part of the Fifth Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine and this is what I wrote then: “Really light cotton candy with a sweet ripe strawberry nose. Really lovely palate with tons of fruit. Not sweet, but ripe and wonderful.” That is all still true. The added benefit here is that this bottle was not in my inventory, so it is a bit of a freebie here. Freebies are generally Excellent. 92 Points.

2015 Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée, Carneros, CA: Retail $75. Ridiculously Heavy Bottle (915g; 2lbs 0.3oz). 67% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay. This wine was first made way back in 1987 and served to the King and Queen of Spain, hence the name (Gloria Ferrer is owned by a Spanish wine conglomerate). While the notes are similar form the Sixth Annual Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine (“On the lighter side in color with a nutty, green apple thing going on in the glass. Good fruit and tartness on the palate, with more than a bit of depth, an excellent sparkler. Excellent. 91 Points.”), the overall experience is elevated, thus, a slightly higher score. Excellent. 92 Points.

2017 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Brut Rosé, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $50. 100% Pinot Noir. This was a part of the Fifth Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine and I really liked it then. I still like it (a lot), and while the flavors and aromas remain consistent, this bottle seems a bit sweeter than I remember which throws off the balance ever so slightly. Still, Excellent, 91 Points.

2013 Roco RMS Brut Delayed Disgorgement (10 YR), Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $110. Really Heavy Bottle (848g; 1lb 14oz). 67% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay. I first tasted this a few months ago for the Sixth Annual Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine and I really liked it (91 points). This time? It might be better. Made by Rollin Solis, the legendary founder of Argyle Winery back in 1987 and resident Willamette sparkling wine guru, this wine is clearly past straw and yellow in color and on its way to golden. Rich and yeasty on the nose, more “nutty” than “fruity” with a honeyed aspect that delights. The palate is lightly effervescent with tons of caramel and a touch of lemon meringue pie. Scrumptious. There is also an acidity, which borders on “intense” that really drives the wine, particularly from the mid-palate on. 10 years on the lees? That is a commitment that few make. Yeah, I am bumping this up to Outstanding. 93 Points.

NV Piper Sonoma Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs, Sonoma County, CA: Retail $22. Ridiculously Heavy Bottle (905g; 1lb 15.9oz). 75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Blanc. Another second bottle for the Sixth Annual Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine and another wine I really loved then (96 Points). Colorless to light straw in the glass with a fantastic nose of citrus and yeast, with a touch of salinity. The palate is a touch sweet, but otherwise well-balanced and lovely. Yeah, this is Outstanding. 94 Points.

2017 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Sparkling Rosé Blossom Ridge. Eola – Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $64. 100% Pinot Noir. I first tasted this vintage  for the Fifth Annual Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine and I liked it back then (89 Points). Now? A year later? I like it more. And a great example of how, despite popular belief, sparkling wine can evolve and even improve in the bottle. This wine is fruity, tart, vibrant, and, well, full of verve. Excellent. 91 Points.