Cost: $13.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Rosé Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baron De Ley
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: “Ernest Hemingway’s love of Spanish bullfighting is well known, but he was apparently also a big fan of rosado, Spain’s rosé wine. We are sure he would be well pleased with this interpretation. Baron de Ley has crafted a rosado with a vivid pink colour and a charismatic nose of strawberry, raspberry and red cherry. Structured, full-bodied and juicy on the palate, this food-friendly wine would be perfect with antipasto.” LCBO

Salmon in colour with a medium minus nose.

Positives: This is yummy. The nose is muted so I wasn’t expecting too much, but then I tasted it & wow. It was like those candies that have a fruit explosion once you crack the hard outer layer. Lots of strawberry with Macintosh apples, cranberry, cherry & some wet stone. Slightly off dry, medium body with good acidity, long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: This is a great summer wine.

Drink on its own or pair it with grilled pork chop stuffed with sun dried tomatoes.

Tasted: 25 Mar 12

Best Buy

Score:9+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 117283

Cost: $19.95 (Sale Price: $14.05)
Grape Variety: Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsaut
Category: Rosé Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Tavel
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Perrin & Fils
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: “Tavel, especially from talented producers such as Perrin, produces some of the richest, yet driest, rosés on the market. They work beautifully as sippers and are quite adaptable to a variety of foods such as grilled chicken, seafood salads, bouillabaisse, pork tenderloin or even grilled lamb chops. The Perrin 2009 is a lovely blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsaut.” (LCBO)

Bright pomegranate in colour with a medium nose.

Positives: Classic Tavel with strawberry, cherry, pink grapefruit & raspberries. The taste is refreshing with good acidity, medium minus body & medium+ length.

Negatives: A little tartness on the finish.

Interesting Point: Serve it in a Viognier/Chardonnay glass.

Drink now on its own or pair it with roasted chicken.

Tasted: 27 Nov 11

Best Buy 

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (sale price of $14.05, 10/10), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO:# 680801

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Grenache
Category: Rosé Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Julian Chivite
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright watermelon in colour with a medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: Very nice nose & taste of cranberry, strawberries & pomegranates. Very easy drinking wine. Good acidity & length to thus wine.

Negative: A little bit of bitterness on the aftertaste (grapefruit)

Interesting Things: Have it chilled to about 13-15 C & drink from an old world styled Chard glass. I compared it to the Riedel Grape series Chard & the Riedel Vinum Sauvignon Blanc & I found the Chard glass far better. The Sauvignon glass had way to much bitterness. Drink on its own or pair it with grilled Tuna with steak spice. Just make sure it medium rare. Drink now.

Remember that Rosé can be drunk year round, but drink those within 2 years maximum. Rosés are meant to be drank young. Many Rosés are best buys.

Best Buy

Tasted: 17 Sept 11 Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO:# 165845