5/6/16, 4:33 PM9 Pretty Pink Wines From California | Tasting Highlights | News & Features | Wine Spectator

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9 Pretty Pinks From CaliforniaNew reviews of 2015 rosé wines from across the Golden State

Tablas Creek in Paso Robles makes rosés in a number of dry styles.

Tim FishPosted: April 18, 2016

Tasting Highlights bring the best wines from our editors’ most recent tastings toWineSpectator.com members.

It was a long, cold winter in much of the country, so some of you are beyond ready forsummer. I can’t deliver warm weather, but here’s the next best thing: new-releaseCalifornia rosés.

If this group of pinks is any indication, the 2015 vintage promises to be a good one.You’ll notice a few familiar names on the list, including Tablas Creek, Bedrock andKokomo. All of these rosés are made with Rhône varieties such as Grenache, Syrahand Mourvèdre—and many are blends.

In my experience, Rhône varieties make the best blush wines in California. The naturalspice and smokiness of these grapes add to the layers of complexity. Though it maybe easy to make rosé in sunny California, it’s still difYcult to make excellent rosé.

Acidity is key. In the Old World, saignée—meaning “to bleed”—is the method of choice.It involves draining juice from a tank of red must that is just beginning to ferment. Theidea is to intensify the red wine, with the byproduct being a pink wine.

Saignée is less successful in California because the red wines at harvest often lackthe lively acidity of their European counterparts. Some producers, however, arebeginning to harvest the grapes for rosé earlier in order to guarantee that level ofvibrancy.

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5/6/16, 4:33 PM9 Pretty Pink Wines From California | Tasting Highlights | News & Features | Wine Spectator

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Look for more rosé reviews in the coming months as I continue to share my favoriteswith you. Meanwhile, just think about all that sunshine on the way.

TABLAS CREEK Rosé Dianthus Adelaida District 2015 Score: 90 | $30Boldly styled yet sleek and balanced, with smoky raspberry aromas and crisp aavorsof strawberry, orange zest and tart red plum. Mourvèdre, Grenache and Counoise.Drink now. 275 cases made.—T.F.

TABLAS CREEK Rosé Patelin de Tablas Paso Robles 2015 Score: 90 | $25A bold and vibrant blush, with aromas of orange blossom and raspberry balancingzesty aavors of watermelon, lemon zest and spice. Grenache, Counoise, Mourvèdreand Syrah. Drink now. 2,150 cases made.—T.F.

BEDROCK Rosé Ode to Lulu Old Vine California 2015 Score: 89 | $23Racy aromas of dried cranberry and spice lead to crisp and appealing aavors oforange zest and strawberry. Mourvèdre, Grenache and Carignane. Drink now. 800cases made.—T.F.

KOKOMO Grenache North Coast Rosé 2015 Score: 89 | $18Crisp and lively, with orange blossom and apricot aromas and watermelon and spiceaavors. Drink now. 210 cases made.—T.F.

KLINKER BRICK Rosé Lodi 2015 Score: 88 | $15Crisp and lively, with appealing aavors of strawberry, raspberry and spice. Grenache,Carignane, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now. 3,040 cases made.—T.F.

KOKOMO Grenache Dry Creek Valley Rosé Pauline's Vineyard 2015 Score: 88 | $24Soft and supple, with aoral peach and strawberry aromas and watermelon aavors.Drink now. 616 cases made.—T.F.

MARGERUM Rosé Riviera San Luis Obispo-Santa Barbara Counties 2015Score: 88 | $21Vibrant and appealing, with notes of watermelon, orange zest and spicy strawberry.Grenache, Counoise and Cinsault. Drink now. 2,200 cases made.—T.F.

CLIF FAMILY Grenache Mendocino Rosé 2015 Score: 87 | $24Floral strawberry aromas lead to easygoing aavors of peach and watermelon. Drinknow. 260 cases made.—T.F.

HALTER RANCH Rosé Paso Robles 2015 Score: 86 | $21Floral strawberry aromas lead to modest aavors of apricot and watermelon. Grenache,Picpoul Blanc, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Drink now. 2,200 cases made.—T.F.

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5/6/16, 4:33 PM9 Pretty Pink Wines From California | Tasting Highlights | News & Features | Wine Spectator

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